6 NFRs, took part in this year's Coniston Fell race, namely Phil Sanderson, Scott Gibson, Phil Green, Chris Little, Trevor Wakenshaw and Dave Johnson. Chris Little's was a very much a spur of the moment entry. He was holidaying in the area and only realised there was a race on when he happened to pass by the sports club!
The day was sunny but with a strong to gale force wind forecast on the fell tops. It turned out that the course just happened to be mainly sheltered from the wind which was only really noticeable on a part of the ridge near Brim Fell and briefly at the start of the descent from the Old Man.
Later finishers were treated to the foreboding sight of a large pool of blood on the final descent, courtesy of a runner who had fallen and badly cut his head. In true fellrunning style he brushed off this minor inconvenience and finished the race before submitting himself to the tender mercies of the first aiders.
Rob Hope won with Ian Holmes second, a reversal of last year's result. Phil was first NFR home in an excellent 8th place mirroring his performance at Coledale two weeks previously.
video on YouTube
Dave Johnson
