The 14th English Schools Fell Running Championships returned to the Craven area on Saturday 1st October. 451 school-aged children entered the races held at Giggleswick School, with 363 completing the fixed route courses. The wide variety of entrant schools included those from as far as Newquay and the Isle of Man.
It was a successful day for Jack Sanderson, from the Craven area and a Giggleswick School pupil, who came first in the Year 10 and 11 race, beating 110 other runners and setting a new record of 23.37 minutes on the 5.5km course, two minutes ahead of the second place holder.
The course comprised a fast, flat start and finish field but between those were lower fell fields, woodland and open fell on limestone. Regular twists, turns, a stream crossing, a marsh, continual changes in gradient were key features and made it accessible and interesting for all runners but a genuine challenge for those at the top end. The course was framed by spectacular views of Giggleswick Quarry, the Yorkshire Dales National Park and over to Lancashire and the Lake District.
Running conditions were affected as a result of heavy rain on the Thursday that swelled the stream and made for a muddy, slippery track in some of the fields and on the wet limestone, with sunshine for most of the day but a few squally showers that added to the experience.
Said Director of Sport, Ed Buck:
“There was some excellent running from all athletes and, at the top end, five new course records were set. This event is not only a fantastic opportunity for fell-runners but encourages visitors from across the UK to our beautiful area. We hope we can build on entries for next year and encourage even more schools to get involved.”
He continued:
“The event could not have taken place without a huge support network, so thank you to: the Chair of the Fell Runners Association Charmian Heaton, sponsors Pete Bland Sports, Bridgedale Socks, Timing Up North (race timing and results service), Steve Brennan, Kenny Gibson and Community Traffic Management. Thanks also go to my colleagues at Giggleswick School and a host of volunteers from the running community who manned the registration and stood out on the fell at various marshalling points.”
Prize winners:
Year 7 race: 1. Rob Carter, Ilkley Grammar School and Isla Jebb, The Queen Katherine School 2. Oliver Goodman, Uplands Academy and Marcie Ford, Bradford Grammar School 3. Jake Smith, The Queen Katherine School and Emmy Ranner, The Queen Katherine School
Year 8-9 race: 1. Ben Brassington, Queen Elizabeth School and Clara McKee, Calder High School (new record set) 2. Oliver Goodman, Uplands Academy and Izzy-Mai Wilson, Bradfield School 3. Tadek Kunick-Holda, Penistone School and Bethan Buckley, North Halifax Grammar School
Year 10 – 11 race: 1. Jack Sanderson, Giggleswick School (new record) and Georgia Bell, Ulverston Victoria High School (new record) 2. Finlay Goodman and Olivia Aldham, South Craven School 3. Samuel Perry, Isle of Man Schools and Sophie Cowan, Queen Elizabeth School.
Year 12-13 race: 1. Freddie Roden, Prince Henry’s Grammar School (new record) and Jess Bailey, Ulverston Victoria High School (new record) 2. Edward Hobbs, Ilkley Grammar School and Emily Gibbons, Bradford Grammar School 3. Isaac Battye, Rivington and Blackrod High School and Amelie Lane, Bradford Grammar School.
See more results at http://www.timingupnorthresults.co.uk/
Categories: Giggleswick School School News
