British Fell Relays
Men’s Open Team
As the pleasant, low hum of nettle and thistle rash fades, and the steep sided hill DOMS takes over, Chorlton’s Black Sheep should feel quietly pleased with another good showing in the British fell relays.
An already stellar field was shrunk down to 150 from across the 4 home nations, It is a unique opportunity to stand vest by vest to the UK’s elite fell running fraternity
Appletreewick, nestled in a pretty Wharfedale valley, played host to this year's hilly smack down. 6 runners per team battle it out in single and paired legs, even one where you have to navigate yourself around.
The early morning rain and low cloud that panicked the nervous navigators, gave way to first hazy, then glorious sunshine that lit up some awesome autumnal colours across the valley. The crazy carousel of a day whizzed past once again with muddied and bloody warriors holding court on their adventures in the wild.
The Chorlton open men's team, ran well once again with some tough baptisms for some new to the fells club runners. Those tram bridges don't prepare us flatlanders for these capers. I maintain we should get a handicap based on our disadvantaged location! Despite our geographic inadequacies, we hustled and bustled enough of the more serious names in the sport (and Alty) to finish a very credible 38th out of 50.
The Vets, a mix of 40 and 50 somethings made as much noise in the field as they did from their creaking limbs to finish 11th of 17.
Like Wallace and Gromitt, we had a grand day out surrounded by Dales. Our quest was made possible by the tireless cheerleading of Ian Sharpe who shook the club runs repeatedly to produce two teams, then sacrificed his day to cover both teams as sub in case of disaster and jogged the course to cheer us in despite his own desire to run in the event.
Next year, the event is near Bala. Block out your diaries for Oct 18th and start those hill preps! Hopefully, the 2025 event will permit a greater numbers of teams, and we can enter a full compliment from the club.
Words by Nick Syrett
