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Results and Race Reports - updated 29th June
If anyone has any race/event reports please email them to me, they don't need to be long or erudite.

Senior Championship 2010 - positions after Langstrath

Hawkshead 10k - Wed 23rd June
Hundreds of Helm Hill runners turned out at the Hawkshead 10k race on Wednesday night.....well not quite hundres but it looked that way when 12 eager racers stood close together and I am happy to say, mostly wearing Helm colours. Great conditions for the scenic race with only a little bit of a head wind on the way back. All had a great run with Dave White, Chris Speight, Chris Schofield and Ian Mitchell all in the top 38. The ladies were Melanie Hyder, Victoia Lepper, Leone Black, Yvonne Procter, Angela Munro Bennett, Jo Richarson, Claire Priest and Kath Aubrey. Melanie picked up 1st lady with Kath in 2nd place. Victoria was the third team member home to secure the ladies team prize. There were a number of PBs and it was Claires first ever race finishing in an impressive 54.37. A good evenig out and great effort by all.

Bendrigg 10k - Sat 12th June
Just a quick note to say well done to all the ladies who turned out for the Bendrigg 10k on Saturday. All rabble roused by Yvonne who managed to get 5 ladies including running herself. Yvonne, Jo, Victoria, Jude and Kath all made for a fantastic display of Helm vests ( well almost, now your racing for the club we need to persuade you to wear the colours!) I don't think I have ever known such a great turn out for the ladies but now we've started lets keep it up. Helm has some really good runners so we should let all the other clubs know what we are made of!! And just so they don't feel left out the men had a good turn out too picking up the team prize and the vets team prize, which for the first time included a lady. Kath Aubrey

Greyhound Challenge Results 2010

2009 Archive

Greyhound Challenge Results 2009

Downhill Race results

Senior Championship 2009 - Final positions (posted 4/1/10)

Junior Championship Positions 2009 - Final positions (U9's amended 7th Sept). Prizes will be presented at Helm Hill Xmas Party

Blisco Dash Race - Lee Procter
ELEVEN Helm Hill members tackled the Blisco 'Dash' race on Wednesday night.
The race was the latest in the senior club championship, with the Helm members making over a sixth of the total field (61 runners).
Conditions were good with just a slight bit of mist on the rocky summit high above the Great Langdale valley.
With non of the 'stars' turning up, I was first Helm runner back in ninth. If I one day find the right line off Blisco I might finish a bit higher! Perhaps my line wasn't too bad when you consider one runner descended into the wrong valley and ended up at the Three Shires pub instead of the New Dungeon Ghyll!
Gary Beardwood - he of the fast start! - was next in 16th.
Mel Hyder won the ladies' race and was 21st overall, with Dave White and Andy Bennett hot on her young heels.
The prizegiving at this race is almost worth turning up for in itself! It's the most random prizegiving in the calendar. For finishing ninth I got nine bottles of lager, while the winner got just one! The beer, however, is that crap French stuff from the supermarket and tastes awful!
Although not old enough to drink, Mel's winning prize was one bottle of the said lager!
Kath Aubrey sprint finished a lady runner from Black Combe to be the third woman across the line. It later transpired that the Black Combe runner was in fact the last lady to finish and because of such took home a full crate of the lager.
Don't worry Kath, I've still got eight bottles of the damn awful stuff if you want them! Cheers, Lee Procter.

Lost in Space (the Bampton Fell race) - by Shaun Addison

Saunders Mountain Marathon 2009 - Photos: Dave White and Russ Cannon - Lee and Ben
Last weekend me and Ben took part in our first ever mountain marathon - The Saunders MM, which this year went from Coniston. Anyway, we made a few route choice blunders in the mist on day one (probably doubled the amount of ascent necessary!) but were surprsied to learn we were lying in second place overnight in our Carrock Fell class. A sleepless night later at the midway camp at Turner Hall Farm in the Duddon Valley, and we were up at the crack of dawn for day two. The leaders from day one had an 11 minute lead as we shot off up the fellside in pursuit. We passed them before checkpoint 2 and never looked back. Our navigation was a million times better on day two and we ended up arriving (totally knackered!) at the finish in Coniston with an eight minute advantage over the second placed team. Our finishing time was a little over 8 hours (five hours on the Saturday and three on the Sunday). A totally unexpected - but very nice - win. And yes, there was more than two teams entered! There was actually over 100 in our class! We were well chuffed, though the best feeling was just been able to get that damn heavy rucksacks off our backs!!! Our prize was a trophy each and a tent - to share! Thanks to everyone who lent us gear and equipment, it was much appreciated. Thanks also to Russ Cannon and Dave White for the positive team talks at the overnight camp! Russ and Dave also did extremely well in their tougher Bowfell Class. They finished fourth and third men's team - meaning they too got amongst the prizes. Well done guys. Cheers, Lee Procter.

Great Lakes Race - 27th June 2009

Much to my surprise, I was the first Helm Hill runner to finish in Saturday’s championship race and so find myself being asked to write a race report.

Disappointingly just 4 Helm runners turned-out for this “classic in the making” race which is now in its second year. As one might have expected, condtions were tough but not due to bad weather, instead, due to very good weather (good if you are taking it easy, but no so good if you are tackling a very hard race). Although only 13 miles, the race packs in 7,000’ feet of ascent / descent and climbs several of the Lakes highest summits.

Starting at Stool End Farm, Langdale the route follows the Band towards Bowfell but then cuts off towards the Climbers Traverse before cutting left through some minor crags to reach the summit plateau shortly before the summit and first checkpoint. The summit was actually in low cloud and this seemed to throw some people and a variety of lines were being taken as we headed towards Esk Pike. Soon back out of cloud, the short climb to Esk Pike felt easy compared with the initial 2,500’ climb to Bowfell; this was the second checkpoint and the route now headed to the summit of Great End (checkpoint 3) and over the rough boulders to Sca Fell Pike (checkpoint 4), Englands highest mountain at 977m.

Although a direct approach to Sca Fell can be made via Broad Stand (a short rock pitch with relatively easy moves but with fatal consequences if a fall were to happen) the race organisers sensibly steered us down from Lingmoor Col to the path which ascends Sca Fell by Foxes Tarn. Checkpoint 5 was positioned at the base of this climb and after the first gully the route was flagged to avoid the worn path from the Tarn. The summit of Sca Fell (checkpoint 6) was manned by Ian Barnes (Co-owner of Lakes Runner shop) who, in his usual excited manner, was shouting words of ecnouragement to all runners – thanks Ian, this was appreciated.

From Sca Fell the race headed West to the lesser known summit of Slight Side (checkpoint 7); race maps warned of crags and suggested staying on the path for a further 200m before cutting back to Great Moss. This area is the Lake District at its best, a large wild area which could have made for diffiuclt navigation had it been misty; however, the sun was most definitely shining and the sky was very blue. The going was getting tough by now, it may not be as long as many of the other Classics but the rough ground and amount of climbing was taking its toll.

From Great Moss a rising traverse leads to the top of Stonesty Gill (between the Crinkles and Little Stand), then follows a traverse across towards Cold Pike and the main path to Red Tarn. The last short climb to Pike O’Blisco leads off from here and many runners were feeling the pain; Garry Beardwood was in my sights and I managed to pass him just after the summit (checkpoint 8) and then decided to ‘go for it’ on the torterous deascent to Stool End Farm (I was still feeling the pain 3 days later !); to start with this leads through some crags to pick up the grassy shoulder which leads straight down to the farm, again the initial section could be difficult in poor weather.

It was a great relief to finish this race, it was HARD; a true fell race, a clasic in the making. Bathing in the beck was the only option to cool down and also a good vantage point to wtach and cheer on fellow runners approaching the finish. I recommend this race regardless of it being a championship race or not. Lakes Runner, organsiers and sponsors of the race, did a great job and their shop is well worth a visit when you are next in Ambleside (they offer a 10% discount to Helm members). Also, our recce run a few weeks previous was a great help and strongly recommended for future contenders.
New course records were set by Simon Booth (Borrowdale): 2:37:41 and Kate Bailey (Merionydd): 3:30:36.

Helm results:
David White: 3:55:18
Garry Beardwood: 3:58:44
Simon Waller: 4:17:13
Dave Appleyard: 4:24:52

Race Report - Bendrigg Lodge 10k - 6th June

What a way to blow the cobwebs away if you’re a fell runner!

Saturday dawned wet and windy, but by 2.00pm, as we were stood on the start line, the rain had stopped.

The green vests of Helm were well represented – Tom and Joss Addison, Billy Procter,Chris Scholfield, Ian Mitchell, Melanie Hyder and me – with a great reputation to preserve.

Setting off the leaders soon disappeared down the lane and by the 1 k mark Tom and Joss had become part of the leading group, with Melanie,Billy and I forming a pack ourselves, with Chris and Ian having their own little battle. At around the 5km mark the eventual winner made his move – a Kendal vested athlete – leaving Tom in a very creditable 2nd place. Joss backed up this by coming in behind Paul Muller(several times a winner on this course) in 4th place. Melanie took second in the womens race – a fantastic run.

Fighting for the minor positions, Billy ‘cheetah like’ passed Melanie and myself between 3k and 5k, before showing his climbing prowess on ‘heartbreak hill’ and leaving me for dead in a time just under 40 minutes – I was some 40 seconds down and Melanie a further 40 seconds back on me. Chris, in his private battle, did the typical athlete thing and passed Ian on the last hill, to consolidate Helm’s position.

Tom and Joss picked up prizes for the individuals, plus were the winning senior team – Billy making up the 3rd counter. However, the winning of the ‘0/40 senior trophy’, for the 5th!!!! time in a row, represented a fantastic achievement – Chris let Ian have the trophy for 6 months!

The following day creaking bones were heard going round the Tebay course – I wonder who they were!
Shaun Addison

Race Report - Old Counties Tops - 16th May 2009
They say that 80% of racing in the mind so ever since I submitted my entry form to the OTC I've been trying to rationalise this 37mile, 10,000ft race in my thoughts. Is it better to think about it as 'a marathon and a half' (too far)........or 'running for 10 hours' (too long).....or '4 consecutive Fairfield's' (don't even go there). In the end I settled on '148 trips to the newsagent' which seemed to strike the right balance. Anyway, myself and a friend from work (Richard) lined up at New Dungeon Ghyll at 8am on Saturday for the biggest fell running challenge either of us had ever faced. Over the last few months I've been trying to race further and longer.........The Tour of Pendle, That's Lyth, Howarth Hobble............but this is in a different league. The weather reports were forecasting heavy rain, strong winds and possible thunder so naturally enough we set off in bright warm sunshine........ 66 pairs of runners and a full day on the fells ahead of us. And what a fantastic day it is............great route, superb organisation, brilliant marshals, with a full range of differing conditions thrown in. Over the course of the day we had every kind of weather imaginable..........rain and mist on Helvellyn.......rain, mist and winds on Scafell.........blue sky on Coniston. Our primary objective was to complete the event within the time limit of 12 hours.....(there are different cut off times at the various check points)......... and everything seemed to be going smoothly when we arrived at Cockley Beck with a good 30 minutes to spare and about 5 other pairs behind us. It all went a bit 'Pete Tong' at Coniston, however, when we completely missed the summit and found ourselves on Dow Crag. There was a horrible moment when we realised that we weren't where we should have been but in fact on top of the wrong mountain..........Looking on the bright side, however, you do get a great view of the Coniston checkpoint from Dow Crag (we could even see the marshals waving at us)........although it does add an hour or so to your time! Once we discovered our mistake the race took on a new urgency..........suddenly we were in danger of being timed out at the finish.....which meant, no T-shirt! It all got a bit frantic as the clock ticked down, our legs got more tired and the finish seemed to get further away. As we approached the end we were met by fellow competitors and marshals urging us on and pointing to their watches......it was that close! Overall this is an epic day out on the fells and I would recommend it to anyone who is up for the challenge. A big thank to all those responsible for the organisation and particularly those marshals who had to wait an extra hour for us to come through. And yes...we finished last!. Tim

Nine Standards - 1st January - Kirkby Stephen is the venue for the traditional News Years day thrash up to the nine mysterious cairns on the fells outside the town. 4 and a bit miles up and the same back down. This year the usual clag, rain, hail and bog had been replaced by blue sky, freezing temperatures and concrete........or at least that's what the course felt like underfoot. A smattering of black ice also helped to make it a bit more interesting. Blimey, it was cold. Most runners had about 6 layers on including gloves, hats etc. If Pete Bland sold duffle coats I would have been running in one.....mind you, the winner ran in a vest so that probably explains my below par performance...that and a thousand mince pies. Seven Helm Hill representatives at the race...John Bagge, Dave Appleyard, Jo Cooke, Rob Blythe, Paul Tuson, Nigel T and me. I was 30 seconds faster than last year which claws back the 30 seconds I was down at Wansfell....happy days. Thanks to Paul Brittleton for organising and a special mention to those who served up the soup afterwards.....best soup of the year - no contest! Tim

2008 Archive

Wansfell Race 27th December - Bright sunshine at the traditional post Christmas blast up Wansfell Pike. A record field of 107 runners turned out for the race........including 19 from Helm Hill.........a superb representation from the Club. Conditions were dry although there were some icy patches to be wary of on the way up and the descent was treacherous in places.
The Club also dominated the prizes.........5 runners in the top 10 finishers, first V50 (Billy) , Ist lady (Melanie).....and the team prize. Andy Bennett fulfilled his promise as the 'Most Improved Runner of 2008' knocking a minute and a half off his previous best......I added 30 seconds on to mine......oh well.
Thanks to Ambleside AC, and Dan Duxbury in particular, for organising and to the 'Lakes Runner' shop for sponsoring (don't forget that Helm Hill Members get 10% discount at the shop on production of their membership card). Lots of support from Club members - thankyou..........it does make a difference you know!
The season starts in earnest at Scout Scar on Sunday 4th Jan....see you there. Tim

Senior Championship final positions - Men's winner John Bagge, Ladies winner Amanda Conner

Downhill Race 13th Dec - Results

Tour of Pendle race report - 15th November - 16 miles 4800 ft
John Bagge, Tim Murray and Lyndon made the journey together for this long event. Mick wilson had forewarned us that it was a race of two halves and to save a bit for the last few climbs. A field of nearly 200 set off on a 'tour', which takes you to the summit of Pendle Hill twice and up and down its numerous flanks on several other steep climbs. Thankfully the weather was kind ,as getting around is enough to contend with. The last two climbs were real killers and the final run in on a track did not end soon enough. John Bagge 61st, 3hrs 8mins; Lyndon 112, 3hrs 29mins; Tim Murray 146, 3hrs 44 mins. Soup, tea and cake in the village hall help to revive us for the journey home. All three of us had various aches pains and cramps. Thanks to Russel for putting this one on the club calendar. I shall think twice about putting myself through this one again. Much beer was needed to revive parts, once I arrived home. John Bagge

Junior championship final positions - Presentations to winners & runners up will be made at the Xmas party.

Great Cumbrian Run (half marathon) report - Sunday 19th October
Kathleen Aubrey set a new PB of 1:33:46 coming 142nd over all and was 2nd F40, winning £20 of New Balance vouchers! David Ratcliffe 1:45:52 (487th). David Kirkland of Alnwick Harriers won in a time of 1:10:40 and there were 1,428 finishers.

Snowdonia Marathon report - Sunday 25th October
Fortunately, this was a road race round the mountain rather than up it, although it still has over 3000 feet of ascent. Having seen the Met Office severe weather warnings for the region, I kept expecting the race to be cancelled but it went ahead so I thought I'd better join the crowd of already cold and wet runners as they made their way to the start. It wasn't too wet to begin with, although nearby Capel Curig recorded 2 inches of rain during the day, but the wind was very strong, gusting over 60mph at times, which was enough to knock a few people off their feet and made running at all quite a challenge in itself - forget about racing!
I went through a bad patch quite early on - it might have had something to do with the downhill stretch to Beddgelert, which should have been easy, proving hard work against the wind - but I hung in there, refused to walk (it was too cold for that!) and after something to eat and drink I felt better and picked up the pace again (not that you'd have noticed if you'd seen me!). So it was, that I ticked off each mile and each drinks station and was really pleased to finish in 4:08 - not a great time, but not a disaster either and quite an achievement given the weather.
Lying in bed that night, hearing the wind and rain lashing against the windows I thought of all those doing the OMM and thanked God that I wasn't camping.
Lindsay Harrod 4:08:16 (437th, 8th F40), John King 4:44:27 (826th), Martin Cox (Unattached) 2:44:37
There were 1,133 finishers, 32 dropped out during the race and about 600 who'd got entries didn't turn up - probably not wanting to travel a long way only for it to be cancelled. Glad it wasn't though. Lindsay.

Wasdale Screes race report - Saturday 18th October - An excellent race. The mountains looked great and the bogs were very boggy. Ollie Fielden, Tom Doyle and myself represented the Helm. Tom had a good race keeping up with the early leaders. The flat road out to the farmers track and then a fast pace to the foot of the climb. The climb was lung busting with a few runners keeping left to the summit. Then around the top and a long gentle decent with views of Wasdale on the right and Blengdale Forest to the left (a prime example of non native softwoods managed by Foresters to supply the commercial markets with quality timber). Then a sharp right hand steep decent to where Joss Naylor was cheering people on. Onwards through a small Larch stand and out into the open field. Back onto the main road and a sharp sprint to the finish. Tom came in 5th and Ollie was 23rd and my self 24th. The food and the beer were worth the effort. Andy Bennett.

Langdale Marathon/Half Marathon report - by David White

Beetham Sports report - just five runners from helm hill at this years beetham sports, which turned out to be a very warm, humid day. Good points picked up by the five; Liam Taylor 45.19, Lyndon Dixon 48.02, Dave Richardson 48.17, Tim Murray 50.10, Ian Conway 56.48. Steel fell next, free to enter and a great blast out! - Liam Taylor

Bampton Village Fell Race 12th July - a new record of 38m 40s set by Mark Addison - beating last year's time by more than a minute. Other Helm results: Shaun Addison 5th, Nigel Thomas 15th, Mike Addison 19th, Dave Appleyard 23rd, Tim Murray 24th, Stewart Johnson 32nd, Amanda Conner 38th.

Lairig Ghru Race Report - 29th June 08 - by David White - David, Russ Cannon and John King took part in this race. Read all about it in David's report.

Reston Scar 2nd July - Race Report - This is a great evening race that starts at Staveley Mill Yard and heads up the Kentmere valley before climbing up onto Reston Scar. Some tricky descending before a second ascent and then down to the Kentmere road to return. It was good to see Helm Hill juniors Liam Taylor and Rory Addison pitting themselves against the seniors. Both juniors got off to a flying start. A very friendly atmosphere at the finish with an even better atmosphere in the beer hall at the prize giving. Mick Wilson picked up the V50 prize and Dave White got lucky with a spot prize. Seven seniors and two juniors turned out for this one: J. Bagge 8th, L. Taylor 13th, Mick Wilson 15th, R. Addison 16th, D. White 17th, A. Emmett 18th, L. Dixon 23, D. Appleyard 24th, P. Willink 28th, Amanda Conner ?? - report by John Bagge

Gibson Grind 28th June - Fourth senior championship race of 2008 - Race report by John Bagge
Departing from Dean Gibson school field runners get a good send off for the 8.5 mile route which takes familiar ground for local runners. After reaching The Mushroom the route heads south along the escarpment, a strong side wind which had dried out recent heavy rain buffetted runners from the side. The route involves a further two climbs, the second of which is long and steady up to the trig point, from where a very fast descent can be made down to the racecourse and back to the school field where the runners were greeted by cheers from spectators. A great turnout from Helm Hill with fifteen runners out of a field of 110. The race was won by Craig Roberts in a new course record of 53:20. Mark Addison led Helm Hill home in 5th with Johan Meyfroidt 10th and John Bagge 14th making up the three scorers for the Helm Hill team. Shaun Addison 18th, Rob Blyth 29th, Liam Taylor 34th, Dave Appleyard 48th, Tim Murray 52, Ian Mitchell 53, Chris Schofield 54, James Serleux 55, Lyndon 58, Dave Till 68, ian Conway 95 and Amanda Conner 97. Helm Hill took second team after Kendal. A great race for prizes and it raises money for the school.

Hawkshead 10k 25th June - Lindsay's report - The Hawkshead 10K last night was a good race - undulating and scenic, round Esthwaite Water and despite it being a road race, I don't think I came across a single car except for one waiting by a marshal at a jucntion. There was a very friendly, low-key atmosphere and large contingents from Hoad Hill, Black Coombe and Kendal AC as it was included in a championship series of some sort. Only 5 Helm Hill Runners took part - perhaps because it didn't seem to have been widely publicised and hadn't made it onto our club website. I only found out about it two days beforehand. All the same, Kathleen Aubrey did Helm Hill proud, putting in a magnificent time of 41 minutes (and something - results not on the Internet yet) and coming 2nd lady overall and first F40. Other club representatives were Niall Till, Dave Till, Dave Ratcliffe and me - Lindsay Harrod - in that order! A good way of spending a summer evening so I recommend it for HHRs next year.

Cautley Crags race 19th June - results

Bendrigg Lodge 8th June - results - several Helm Hill Runners took part and we won both the men's team prize and vets' prize.
Lindsay's report - It's an undulating rural route with a steep hill right at the end. I'd been gradually working my way up the field (so to speak! it was a road race!) throughout the race and finally caught up with the second lady (and first F35) near the top of the last hill. Suddenly noticing my presence, she 'woke up' and launched into an impressive sprint finish. I was already running as hard as I could so had nothing extra to give and couldn't catch her, but I had the satisfaction of knowing that I'd made her work for it at the end!

Helvellyn Race - Report

Dockray-Hartside race - report by Chris Robinson - results

Middle Fell Race - report - 5th April by Lee Procter

Arant Haw 30th March - Results

Borrowdale Fell Run - 26th March 2008 - report

Lakeside 10k - 23rd March - results - Melanie Hyder was first female home

Wansfell Fell Run – 27th February 2008 - report

Nine Standards Race 1st Jan - results - Word - PDF


2007 Archive

Downhill Championship Sat 15th Dec - Results
Senior's Club Championship 2007: Final Results
Mens champion: Ollie Fielden, Ladies champion: Amanda Conner
Howgill Howler 23rd Sept - results - photos
Junior Club Championship 2007: Final results
Helm Hill race 24th June - results are on the BOFRA website
Cautley Crags Race 21st June - Report and Results
Arant Haw Results 15th April
Kendal Winter League 2007 - final league positions and results
Senior championship 2007 race list

2006 Archive

Results for the 2006 Kendal Winter League can be found here.

Helm Hill Runners Senior Club Championship 2006 - Final results are here and last years race list is here.
Champions in 2006 were - Men: Paul Brittleton, Ladies: Jennifer Dunn


For any other results try checking the race organisers website or UK Results or the FRA website.