Fell Running - Bond's Loughrigg mission sucessful (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Fell Running - Bond's Loughrigg mission sucessful

10:17am Thursday 21st April 2011 in Athletics

THE Loughrigg Fell Race saw a big turn-out from local club Helm Hill Harriers with 35 runners out of a field of 118, but Dark Peak fell runner Stuart Bond took the victory.

Bond, who also won in 2010, ran the four-mile route out-and-back in 27 minutes and 55 seconds.

With a mile to go Bond was neck-and-neck with Helm Hill runner Mark Addison - winner of the 2011 Kendal Winter Series - and Addison was second in 28-58.

Ambleside AC’s Hugh O’Donnell, showing great potential for the season, took third in 29-41.

Before the race, Bond had been keen to challenge the course record of 27-00, but wet underfoot conditions and a bog-sucked shoe put paid to that.

However, in the women’s race a storming run from Lizzie Adams, of Hallamshire Harriers, saw a new course record of 30 minutes and 11 seconds.

Adams, who recently moved to Ulverston and has represented England in European Mountain races, turned at the top in fourth place, finishing sixth at the end.

She replaces the previous record of 31-27, set last year by fellow international Emma Clayton of Bingley Harriers.

Sarah McCormack of Moorfoot Runners took second place, and 14th overall, in an impressive 31-49. Scout Adkin, team-mate of McCormack finished third, and first under-18 in 34-49.

A close battle for the mens’ vet 40 victory saw Paul Dugdale of Kendal AC just edging out, by three seconds, Tony Smith of Ambleside in 29-55. Alex Brown of Helm Hill was the first male under-18 in a time of 31-46, just ahead of team-mate Rory Addison.