Map of the old Buttermere race

[Dynamo Dan]

Dan, living in Manchester does not preclude you from organising a race in the Lakes. Bear in mind that several people who have been the Jura RO over the years have resided in Lancashire and Yorkshire. Alan Kenny ( Morecambe area ) has been RO for OCT and Grizedale Horseshoe. Not to mention that for the first 12 editions of the Anniversary Waltz, Steve & Wynn were residents of Leicester; and Yiannis organises the Arenig Fawr race ( between Bala & Trawsfynydd ) despite living in Liverpool. You can do it if you really want to.

Ian.

P.S. I first spotted it in the 1985 FRA Calendar but fom previous posts it obviously was run before that.

We'll see how the CFR talks go and if they break down I'll give it a shot!

[Dynamo Dan]

Dan,

I've often wondered about this race myself, and mentioned it to Pete Nelson (who organised it for a while I think - possibly who Graham meant) when I was chatting to him only this February. He did tell me the route then, but I couldn't remember the detail - I might see him tomorrow to ask him again.

I also mentioned this on our club run last night (whilst going over Red Pike to Scarth Gap from Buttermere - felt appropriate!) and there was some interest in it. If you want I'll mention it in our next club meeting (12th June) to see if there is the appetite to organise it as a club (CFR). I think if we can get it to finish at the Kirkstile Inn it would be a perfect finish to a race!

Graham informs me that Pete Nelson started the race and Pete Skelton organised the last three races.

[Lemming]

How could I doubt Graham on race details? Silly mistake.

I missed Pete (Nelson) on Thursday, so I've just emailed him to see what he remembers about the race.

[Oscar]

Don't have scanner but here are some snippets from race report in Up & Down magazine Nov/Dec 1990:

Buttermere Horseshoe Fell Race, Loweswater Cumbria. Cat A Long, 20 miles/8000ft; 11th August 1990
Headline "Helene's Supremacy - 6th O/A"

1. Donald Lee, CFR, 3-30-13
2. Adrian Jones, Glossop, 3-37-47
3. Bob Berzins, Dark Peak, 3-53-08

Ladies
6. Helene Diamantedes, Ambleside, 4-08-10
21. Cath Proctor, Mandale, 4-37-53
31. Ruth Pickvance, CLeM, 4-55-25

Checkpoints (OS Sheet 89, West Cumbria)
Start/Finish: Loweswater Village Hall - 140201
1. Grassmoor - 175204
2. Robinson - 203168
3. Dalehead - 224153
4. Innominate Tarn - 197129
5. High Style - 169146
6. Mellbreak (South Top) - 148186
7. Track - 13191

[Oscar]

On closer reading it looks like they organised it with the following on the same day:

Mellbreak Two Tops; Cat A Short, 5 miles/1400 ft; 11 August 1990

Headline - "44 Runners - A Record!"
"Inaugurated in 1985, the Mellbreak this year had its largest field yet, 44 including 6 ladies"

1. Alan Bowness, CFR, 33-45
2. Willie Gaunt, P&B, 34-21
3. John Wicker, CFR, 35-27

Ladies
27. Penny deMoss (v), Tri-Lake, 46-58
31. C Charlton (v), Keswick, 50-20
39 Jane Ridings (v), U/A, 53-28

Checkpoints
Start/Finish: Loweswater Village Hall - 140201
1. North Summit - 144195
2. South Summit - 148186
3. Valley Track - 140187

So plenty CFR involvement at the sharp end of both races. Does this augur well for their resurrection of at least the long one!?

What about sponsorship from Kirkstile Inn and prizes (and/or a barrel at finish) of Loweswater Gold?

[wheezing donkey]

Graham informs me that Pete Nelson started the race and Pete Skelton organised the last three races.

IIRC, those two "Petes" were involved with pacing / supporting Joss on his "All The Wainwrights in Seven Days" jaunt, in 1986.

[mr brightside]

I like the look of that Mellbreak shorty. The big one would look something like this...

20m 8850', you could spend ages finding lines on a route like that.
Attachment 6138

[Oscar]

Thanks for plotting it. Looks like another "Classic"

I like the look of that Mellbreak shorty. The big one would look something like this...

20m 8850', you could spend ages finding lines on a route like that.
Attachment 6138

[Lemming]

Thanks for the info Oscar, I thought the route was something like that but I wasn't sure and it's great having a bit of the history of this race.

As for the route I'd love to include the ascent up Whiteside & Hopegill head - it only adds a little more climb and some more great running. I think the actual route will probably depend on the permissions, which will be the first job for anyone taking this on (I've got good feedback so far from the club). You'll see that there is a fair bit in common with the TWA, and Steve & Wynn have included Whiteless pike & High Snockrigg to get to Robinson, I'm not sure if that was stipulated to them or they did that by choice.

As for the descent of Melbreak it would come off from the south top to the track - the descent off the end would be rather hairy! (It a very easy scramble coming up & makes a good race route but would be a bit much on the way down).

[Lemming]

I like the look of that Mellbreak shorty.

We did that one last year as a club championship (although with the third checkpoint right at the end so you carry on heading South off of South top to about 148178.) and a club run this year - it is a good one. We also did a race (and another club run this year - we do like these fells!) over the two tops and then over Hen comb and back to the pub. That is a killer ascent up Hen Comb.