6 miles / 800ft

I travelled down to Whitby on a lovely evening with my friend and fell training mate Steve Matthews of Blyth RC (soon to be NFR). This race is one of Dave Parry's summer evening races and a brand new route. Although more trail/fell than fell, I have always enjoyed these races as they have a certain charm about them.

I took the race on from the start and was running well getting a 2-300m lead after 2.5 miles. A navigation error after 4 miles and my lead was gone with Dan Middlemas of Loftus AC now for company. However a fast burst for the next 1.5 miles and I had a 100m lead again going into the final grassy descent so victory was mine ... or so I thought! As I took the established route I heard a rustle in the bushes and thought it must be a sheep, but oh no it was Dan using his local knowledge to snatch victory right at the death. I directed a few friendly expletives towards him before congratulating him. Steve continued his promising start to the fells by coming 8th but he felt he didn't have the spring in his legs.

Results on NYMAC website

Gary Jones