Bob Foreman reports
Another hot evening, but with a fresher feel, for this years Calton Crawl Fell Race, 4.5 miles and 850 feet of Staffordshire’s finest countryside. This little race is tougher than it looks on paper.
A lap around the stubbly start/finish field to thin the runners out and then up a single track walled lane to Slade House before open farmland is reached. A long off camber traverse down to Throwley Hall before gradually uphill again to Mere Hill. From here the imposing sight of Soles Hill can be seen and following a descent into Soles Hollow the steep, grassy 300 feet climb begins, hands being required for the final push to the ridge. Along the ridge for 50yards towards the Trig Point and then steeply back down into Soles Hollow.
Once in the bottom, a long uphill drag of of nearly a mile brought us back to Slade House and then a fast descent, retracing our steps down the walled lane, to the start/finish field, a lap of which was fortunately not required!
Around 130 runners on the evening and the race was won by MAC’s Luke Beresford.
1st Luke Beresford 31.57 1st M40
4th Toby Gill 33.40 1st U23
5th Matt Nichols 33.46
37th Bob Foreman 39.42 2nd M60
49th Mick Moorhouse 41.41 1st M70
The first lady home was Rachel Duckworth of Belper Harriers 44th o/a in 40.38
This race is now under a new RO and the excellent organisation has continued including the splendid array of sandwiches and cakes for sale in the Village Hall and of course the gravity fed barrel of Bounder 3.8% from the Leatherbritches Brewery.
