2009 Club Championships

Having been the statistician nerd for Dan Dux the last couple of years, compiling the results for the 07 and 08 Championships, Dan decided I might as well choose the events for 2009.

So, with the FRA fixtures calendar in one hand and my race schedule and plan for the season in the other, I’ve handpicked a fine selection of events to suit my needs, skills and availability… (This is a joke – everyone knows I’m not competitive.)

The format is very similar to the previous years, with nine races and our Club Orienteering night, organised by Dux, making ten events.  You can compete in all 10 events but only the best 5 results count.  All you’ve got to do is turn up to each event, run fast and in the right direction and finish in front of your fellow Amblesiders. Simple. The more accurate your sense of direction and the faster you run, the more points you score. Nice.

The open men’s category scores as follows: 21 points for first Amblesider, 19 points for second, 18 points for third etc. The open women’s and all vet categories score 11 points, 9 points, 8 points etc.

It’s an early start to the season with Jon Broxap’s informal Loughrigg Silver How race kicking things off from Millans Park in Ambleside at the end of February. The Anniversary Waltz takes place in April: a beautiful horseshoe over Robinson, Hindscarth, Dale Head and Cat Bells. The views of Derwentwater and Keswick, if you stop and look, are awesome. This is shortly followed by the orienteering event over Loughrigg. This is a chance for me to run around for an hour like a headless chicken, stumbling upon the occasional control, and scoring few points. Either that or I end up in A&E à la 2007.

Included in the fixtures are two fantastic mid-week races: Steel Fell and Caw. On a good evening with the sun going down after a warm day, awesome panoramas and the prospect of a post-race beer amongst a small field of runners one wouldn’t wish to be anywhere else in the World. Steel Fell is free to enter, so there’s a chance Barry might score points in the V70 category. And with the Blacksmith’s Arms on the finish line of the Caw fell race we might see Mr Holcroft giving this one a go.

Duddon Valley and the Great Lakes Run are the two toughie events in the Championship. Pop into Lakes Runner in Ambleside and mention the Great Lakes Run to Ian B – now that’s child-like enthusiasm for you! The Great Lakes Run was staged for the first time in 2008 and ranks as a companion to the Lakeland Classics. Talking of Lakeland Classics, the Duddon valley race – tough as always, but a great tour of the south Lakeland fells – is the last chance for old people like Gary Thorpe to give a go before they just can’t make it around.

For those that like them steep and short, the New Dungeon Gill is on offer. Ladies, this event didn’t have a female competitor last year – and the prizes were awesome. Jim Evans, get yourself a skirt and wig, this could be your chance. The decent off Harrison Stickle looks evil and is not for the faint-hearted. I’ll be watching from the valley bottom.

That leaves the Three Shires and Kentmere races in September and July respectively. If you like the Fairfield horseshoe, you’ll love Kentmere. If you like the Langdale Horseshoe, you’ll love the Three Shires.

Any comments, queries, complaints then give me an email.

Ben_Abdelnoo@yahoo.com

2008 Final results & report

2007 Final results & report

2006 Final results & report

2005 Championship Report & RESULTS