Fell Running - Organiser skates up at Firbank but rules out title bid (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Fell Running - Organiser skates up at Firbank but rules out title bid

12:52pm Monday 18th January 2010 in

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WINTER League series organiser Alastair Dunn comfortably won the Firbank Fell Race on Sunday, but the reigning BOFRA champion for the past five years is unlikely to make a bid for the title this year.

Dunn (21-55) came clear of the field for a 25-second victory over Sedbergh School lad Sam Fisher (22-20), with Ambleside AC's Chris Waters (22-28) a further eight seconds off in third.

It was the opening race in the January to March series after the Scout Scar races the previous week had to be cancelled because of a frozen course.

Alastair said: "I was pleased with how the day went both as organiser and as a runner.

"It was fantastic to see so many kids turn out for the junior races.

"We had a field of about 45 for the Under-12 race and they're keener than the adults to get a run.

"It's thanks to all the help from within Helm Hill club that we can put on races like this."

It was Dunn's first race since October but he posted his fastest time over the course, which was still icy in parts. But with a young family - including nine-week-old Frazer - he says he is unlikely to mount a challenge for the title, won in 2009 by clubmate Tom Addison.

"I probably will not run in enough of the races, " he said.

Kathleen Aubrey (Helm Hill) won the women's race annd James Knox and Mel Hyder both had impressive runs in their age groups.

Results: Seniors: 1 A. Dunn (Helm Hill) 21-55; 2 S. Fisher (Sedbergh School) 22-20; 3 C, Waters (Ambleside) 22-28; 4 P. Harrison (Sedbergh S) 22-53; 5 J. Deegan (Ambleside) 1st V40 22-57; 6 J. Addison (Heolm Hill) 23-04; 7 L. Passco (Blackburn) 23-12; 8 M. Robinson (Dark Peak) 23-28; 9 N. Till (Helm Hill) 24-26; 10 C. Bell (Howgill) 24-31. 1st Vet 50 P. Whiting (Unatt) 26-00; 1st Vet 60 J. Hodgson (Dallam) 30-52.

Women: 1 K. Aubrey (Helm Hill) 29-26; 2 J. Mattinson (Howgill) 29-34; 3 D. Copley (Dallam) 30-25.

U12 boys: 1 L. Davies (Wharfedale) 6-24; 2 C. Lowrie (Wharfedale) 6-26; 3 J. Newbold (Wharfedale) 6-36.

U12 girls: 1 M. O'Reilly (Helm Hill) 7-16; 2 E. Lambert (Settle)7-25; 3 E. Gibson (Wharfedale) 7-41.

U14 boys: 1 J. Hall (Wharfedale) 8-43; 2 P. Done (Keighley) 9-02; 3 D. Goad (Helm Hill) 9-17.

U14 girls: 1 B. Gray (Kendal) 10-04; 2 M. Hodgson (Lancaster &Morcambe) 10-17.

U17 boys: 1 James Konx (Helm Hill) 11-36; 2 R. Addison (Helm Hill) 11-45; 3 T. Doyle (Helm Hill) 12-16.

U17 girls: 1 M. Hyder (Helm Hill) 12-57; 2 S. Hodgson (Lancaster & Morecambe) 13-58; 3 L. Munro-Bennett (Helm Hill) 14-24.