As the evenings� light lengthens further and the weather improves, so the race calendar gets bigger. The Burbage Skyline fell race traverses 5.75 miles and 1200 feet of fine dark peak gritstone over Carl Wark, Higger Tor and Burbage Edge as part of the Gritstone Fell Race Series. Long Eaton fell stalwarts Phil Abbott 111th 50:37, Amorri Vhis 119th 51:46 and Colin Bostock 226th 59:36 enjoyed this fine spring classic in cool conditions.
29:59.6! M50 60 79.26 6:00 29:59.6!
In the UK Trail Running Championships medium distance race held over the rolling hills of Wiltshire in The Marlborough Downs Challenge, Dicky Wilkinson covered the 19 miles and 1500 feet climb in 2:13:35 for first place and to claim his first British Championship title. In ideal racing conditions, Wilkinson in a group of four, broke away early on in the race as it threaded its way through meadows and woodland trails before climbing up onto the downs. After half way Wilkinson pushed on running the last 9 miles alone to finish over 3 minutes ahead of second place.
Three Days in May is the title given to a trio of fell races in the west of Derbyshire and part of the Hayfield collection of races held over one weekend. Amorri Vhis competed in all three races to finish a highly respectable 23rd in the series and his individual performances were: May Queen 3 miles 700 feet � 47th 27:19; Mount Famine 5 miles 1850 feet � 80th 59:00; and the Lantern Pike Dash 1.2 miles 630 feet (just think 0.6 mile up turn round and then run sub 3:30 mile pace on the way down!) - 25th 15:11. Ed Murden ran Mount Famine in a very brisk 51:43 for a 29th placing in this competitive race.
Further from home than most, Karen Levers took on the Great Wall of China half-marathon in a time of 2:52 � will this be in the summer league next year?
What must surely be Derbyshire�s toughest road race the Eyam half-marathon, had Duncan Gedge 1:52:02 172nd, James Parkinson 1:56:38 219th and Suzanne Newman 2:07:13 do battle with this beast.
Donning their studs once again for their weekly off road fix, Phil Abbott 59th 43:15 and Colin Bostock 158th 51:39 enjoyed a beautiful evenings sport in the Totley Moor fell race.