Lakeside - Gummers Howe

[Harry H Howgill]

If anyone is hanging round the Lakes, next Saturday the 23rd of June with nothing to do for the evening, and wants to see a fantastic spectacle and have a good laugh, they should come along to the Lakeside hotel on the bottom end of Windermere. The event is now unfortunately full as there are only 14 rowing boats, but it is normally well worth watching. The runners set off on a quick 800m sprint before fighting for the rowing boats to cross Windermere and shooting up Gummers Howe and back again. Over the years there have been some great scraps in the boats, battling for clear water. Then there is the ferry to contend with too. Some good runners have been left lacking in their rowing ability before now. It's a great race to watch and the only fell race involving rowing boats I know. Come along for some good entertainment.

[Harry H Howgill]

I hear on the grapevine that there are still a couple of boats free for this Saturday's race if anyone is interested.

For those of you not in the know, this is a fantastic event that originally started in the 1920s. It starts from behind the Lakeside Hotel from where you have to row over Windermere before running up Gummers How.

For those not wanting to compete, it is a great spectator's event as no matter how good a runner someone is, their skill doesn't always transfer to rowing. The starts of both the team and individual race are normally chaos.

The organiser's details are on the FRA fixture list page.

http://www.fellrunner.org.uk/2008races.htm#jun

[Silverfox]

You're right its a great one to watch. Never done the individual race. The fear of getting stranded in the middle of the lake is just too much for me! Think i'll come to spectate rather than compete!

[morning glory]

I'll be there. Am entered in the team race, but fear that my injury may make me the weak link! I only do it for the free bottle of ice cold bud you get handed upon crossing the finish line!
Bet you've been hard at it on the rowing machine Harry, eh?

[old blogger]

Seems like it was another great success.
Preston Harriers joined in last year, I think for the first time. We were there agian in force this year. If you want to see Ian Holmes on umbrella duty, go to our report of the weekend!
http://www.prestonharriers.com/GummerHowe.htm

[Al Fowler]

Any body in this, this year?

[emmilou]

Any body in this, this year?

A few of the Harriers are going up for it Al...you not??

I couldn't make it but yes certainly looks a good thing to participate in or even watch

[Harry H Howgill]

You are right Emmi. A great one to watch.

It is on the evening of the Tebay race this year, so anyone coming up for the weekend should come along and enjoy a beer on the lawn of the hotel and enjoy the sight of fellrunners showing off their rowing skills. Normally hilarious!

[Al Fowler]

A few of the Harriers are going up for it Al...you not??

I couldn't make it but yes certainly looks a good thing to participate in or even watch

I am indeed going. Got a place in the YHA. Ive said i'll be a reserve since its only 3m/900. If its straight up and down kinda stuff i should be able to do that but i cant let myself take the place of someone who is injury-free and wants to do it.

[flashrunner]

Is this race pre entry or not?
It dos'nt say in the calender
I was thinking going up there this weekend if i can enter