1:28pm Tuesday 22nd December 2009
A PILE of those Christmas calories will be shed by fell runners at the Wansfell Fell Race in Ambleside this Sunday, but proper wintry weather means a 25-year-old record looks unlikely to be broken.
One of the longest enduring local records was set by Keswick AC legend Kenny Stuart with his 1984 effort of 18min 56sec for the two miles and a half out and back run which ascends 1,500 feet.
Angela Brand-Baker's women's record has not fared badly either, her time of 23min 56sec was back set in 1994.
The Lakes Runner shop sponsored race starts from Old Kelswick School in Stockghyll Lane in Ambleside and entry, restricted to those over 15 years of age, is just £1.
There will be hot drinks and mince pies at the prizegiving in the Lakes Runner shop after the race.
For further details, contact Dan Duxbury atddux@hotmail.co.uk or see website: amblesideac.org.uk The other main festive race on the fell calendar is the Nine Standard Fell Race on New Year's Day and this year's race will take an altered route to include an extra hill.
Race organier Paul Brittleton of Helm Hill Runners is not revealing the modified route because organisers do not want anone to train over it until the day of the race.
The eight-miler, which previously included 1,800 feet of ascent, goes out to the Nine Standards landmark, the highest point on the skyline seen from Kirkby Stephen.
The race starts and finishes in the Market Square at Kirkby Stephen and entry on the day costs £4.50, which includes refreshments and a map.
For further details, contact P. Brittleton on 078541 40572.
THE Scout Scar Races from Brigsteer Road in Kendal on January 10 open the 2010 Kendal Winter League.
Junior races start at noon, with the seniors getting aaway at 1pm or when the juniors have finished.
Other fixtures are: January 17 - Firbank Fell (M6, junction 37); January 24 - Whitestone (Staveley-in-Cartmel); January 31 - Birkrigg Common (Ulverston); February 7 - Fell End Clouds (between Sedbergh and Kirkby Stephen); February 14 - Fairmile (Howhill, Sedbergh); February 21 - Barbondale (Barbon to Dent Road); February 28 - Sedbergh School (Sedbergh); March 7 - Cautley Spout (Sedbergh); March 14 - Austwick (Austwick Village, off A65); March 21 - Elterwater Common (Langdale); and Arant Haw (not a points race, 2pm start Peoples Hall, Sedbergh, league presentation afterwards)..
Entry on the day cost £3 with juniorsa £1 and there are categories for U12, U14 and U17 runners, senior men and women and veterans 40, 50 and 60 men.
For more details see www.helmhillrunners.co.uk CHRIS Waters beat Ben Abdelnoor by 12 seconds on adjusted times to win Ambleside AC's Kirkstone Handicap Race from Smithy Brown to the Kirkstone Inn.
Ian Barnes took third place, a further 11 seconds adrift as 14 of the club's runners took part in wild weather.
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