Fell Running - 'Face freeze' factor in Firbank event

11:17am Saturday 17th January 2009

By Gazette Sports

BANGOR University student Rob Samuel blew away the field in the second Kendal Winter League race of the season at Firbank Fell near Sedbergh.

The 22-year-old road and cross country specialist, who runs for Eryri and finished second in the Snowdonia Marathon last year, found the wet and windy conditions to his liking and romped home almost a minute ahead of Helm Hill’s Mark Addison. Horwich’s Darren Kay was third while Dark Peak’s Mike Robinson, who lives in Kendal, was first V40 in fifth .

Runners had to endure appalling weather conditions at this exposed location with many complaining of “face freeze” on the tops as the wet and icy wind gusted across the course.

Helm Hill’s Kath Aubrey was the first lady with a minute to spare over Wharfedale’s Judy Howells with Howgill’s Jen Mattison in third.

The U17 boys’ race was a fiercely competitive affair and was won by Rossendale’s Ashley Kay – who went astray in the opening race at Scout Scar – with Keighley and Craven’s Tom Sessford and Helm Hill’s Tom Doyle duelling for second place. Helm Hill’s Melanie Hyder comfortably won the girls’ U17 event.

There were local winners in the U14 boys’ race where Helm Hill’s James Knox held off Rossendale’s Dan Walsh while team mate Lorna Nunwick won the girls’ U12 race by 21 seconds from Kendal’s Bella Gray.

RESULTS: Senior Men: 1 R Samuel, Eryri, 21-14; 2 M Addison, Helm Hill, 22-11; 3 D Kaye, Horwich, 22-43; 4 I Wellock, HBT, 23-12; 5 M Robinson, Dark Peak, 24-05; 6 D Gorst, Howgill, 24-31. Senior Women: 1 K Aubrey, Helm Hill, 29-25; 2 J Howells, Wharfedale, 30-35; 3 J Mattison, Howgill. U17 Boys: 1 A Kay, Rossendale, 11-43; 2 T Sessford, Keighley & Craven, 11-53; 3 T Doyle, Helm Hill, 11-55. U17 Girls: 1 M Hyder, Helm Hill, 13-30; 2 B Dutson, unattached, 15-19; 3 R Goodfellow, Dallam, 15-56. U14 Boys: 1 J Knox, Helm Hill, 8-20; 2 D Walsh, Rossendale, 8-33; 3 W Smith, Wharfedale, 8-48. U14 Girls: 1 S Hodgson, Lancs & Morecambe, 9-41; 2 L Munro-Bennett, Helm Hill, 9-53; 3 M Stuart, Helm Hill, 9-54. U12 Boys: 1 P Done, Keighley & Craven, 6-32; 2 C Laurie, Wharfedale, 6-54; 3 B Kent, Helm Hill, 6-59. U12 Girls: 1 L Nunwick, Helm Hill, 6-57; 2 B Gray, Kendal, 7-18; 3 M Hodgson, Lancaster & Morecambe, 7-33.