Fell Running - Hostel worker puts Mountain Trial to bed (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Fell Running - Hostel worker puts Mountain Trial to bed

11:43am Thursday 16th September 2010 in Sport

A WORKER at Hawkshead Youth Hostel, Rhys Findlay Robinson, of Dark Peak, won the Petzl Lake District Mountain Trial.

Robinson, a member of the Dark Peak club who is working in the Lakes during the summer, won the 57th running of the race in four hours 10 minutes.

The historic 21-mile Trial, which started from Kentmere, has eight checkpoints and includes more than 7,000 feet of ascent.

Robinson fought out a close race with Hector Haines of Ilkley Harriers, who finished just two minutes down in second place.

Last year's winner Steve Birkinshaw, of Borrowdale Fell Runners, was a further minute behind in third, and Ambleside AC's John Deegan just 40 seconds behind Birkinshaw in fourth.

Helene Whitaker, of Ilkley Harriers, became the first woman in recent times to run and complete the men's course.

Whitaker won the women's race in 2009 and decided it was time to step up to the longest course. She finished in a superb 5 hours 18 minutes, which placed her 35th out of 129 finishers.

Kate Cooper of Cumberland Fell Runners was the clear winner of the women's race in 4 hours 32 minutes, with Kirsty Bryan-Jones of Dark Peak seven minutes behind and Karen Nash of South Ribble Orienteering Club third a further two minutes back.

Nineteen-year old Peter Hodkinson of Notts AC won the 12-mile, 3,400f eet short course aimed at younger runners and veterans. He had over half an hour to spare on his rivals, taking just 2 hours 20 minutes.

Full results at http://www.sportident.co.uk/results/2010/LDMT/