Great Whernside

[Graham Breeze]

Ilkley Gazette/ Wharfedale & Airedale Observer 12 October 2007

"THIS is living" was the cry heard as one fellrunner surged past a small group on the sublime descent from Great Whernside towards Kettlewell last Saturday.

The Great Whernside race, conceived by Pete Jebb, is one of the great short fell races. The route is virtually free from technicalities and so the climb is a pure power charge and the glorious, glorious descent of 1500 feet in a couple of miles is the acme of fell running descents. This fell race is as close to perfection as it gets.

Last Saturday's race was both an English and British Championship counter but because the weekend also included the Langdale Horseshoe and the Ian Hodgson Relay hoi polloi stayed away to leave the event clear for those seeking championship points and to break records as Simon Bailey (Mercia) in 28.38 (174 finishers) and Candice Leah (CLM) in 36.10 (73 finishers) did.

(edit)

The Great Whernside race is one of those events where you leave the car park wishing the race was next week instead of next year.

[Johnny Foreigner]

Great race today, fantastic weather saw quite a few people running topless. Bit of a lungbuster going up, and the descent seemed to be over rather too quickly but all very enjoyable so thanks to the organisers and marshalls. Wins for Simon Bailey and Candice Leah both breaking course records, with P&B (men) and Bingley (women) winning team prizes.

Thanks for that supersaint. That's how race reports should be. No poncy rhetoric.

[Edam]

Thanks for that supersaint. That's how race reports should be. No poncy rhetoric.

"rhetoric"

Isn't that from the Greek word rhetor ?

[IainR]

Eryri Women won the team even in the British Champs so I Understand. Brilliant achievement, first time for the women.

Sarah K turned up 1/2 an hour late for the Eryri team bus this morning and was nearly thrown out of Blakes Babes. Lazy bugger slept in.

[George]

They must have set of really early. Amazing commitment

[IainR]

They must have set of really early. Amazing commitment

Should have done!

Unfortunately the wife was sound asleep when Mike called wondering where she was. I had to drive her to Bangor to make the bus at 6 am.

Great commitment though all the way through from the Northern Ireland race through to this. They've ran well, but worked bloody hard to get the numbers there to each race. Credit to Mike (and Arwel for the buses) for a lot of that.

To top off a great day England beat the Aussies! (and Man U won and we won 1-0 AET).

[Johnny Foreigner]

"rhetoric"

Isn't that from the Greek word rhetor ?

Try the second meaning

It's funny how you always crawl out of the woodwork at times like these.

[Stan]

Some photos here..
http://www.bingleyharriers.org.uk/photogallery/

[hillbilly]

Good photos mate . nice to see the faces gritting it out up and down. I am
no 57 red vest struggling as usual. cheers to all involved.

[Ali]

Many thanks to Peejay, Mrs Peejay and all helpers for this superb race.

Even arranged fab weather and a dry parking field. Grand as owt.

Cheers, Ali