11am, 4th March 2012. RACE REPORT

A great turnout of 74 runners for this ever popular five-plus miler around a few of Northumberland’s Iron Age hill forts, especially given the drastic turn in weather come Sunday morning. A strong and cold wind with plenty of rain was to accompany our runners around Brough Law, Wether Hill, Cochrane Pike and back home. The usual suspects were leading the charge with an unknown quantity dressed in the black and white of Otley. However, as expected and despite the previous days cross country in nearby Alnwick, it was the venerable Sanderson, the course record holder, who crossed the line first. It was close, though, with Robertshaw of Otley and Bennett of NFR only seconds behind.  In the women’s race Fiona Blackett of Durham Fell Runners made her intentions known early on by sticking comfortably with the leading pack and duly romped home with over three minutes to spare and the course record. Not bad for your first run at this race. Karen Robertson, NFR, and Rebecca Law, Eryri, made up the women’s podium. A worthy mention to Joe Garbarino, NFR, who, at 75, is still showing younger runners how to do it. Also to my helpers Waz, Lou, Doug, Casper and the 1st Waldridge Fell Scout group who helped mark the course on Saturday night under clear skies and a meteor trail. Special thanks must go to John Telfer, NFR, who drove down from Edinburgh to help take entries and do the time keeping.

One gripe: There was a lot of corner cutting and course trimming going on out there with some runners even observed to have missed the summit of Cochrane Pike. Next year there will be mandatory and verifiable checkpoints in place to make sure everyone sticks to the prescribed route.

£200 was raised from race takings for the Great North Air Ambulance (which will be gift-aided too) with the rest going to the Scouts.

Thanks, and see you all next year!

results (pdf)

Will Horsley