Holme Moss Fell Race
On Sunday 28th July 5 MACs headed to West Yorkshire and the home of Nora Batty and Compo for the Holme Moss Fell Race. This is a challenging AL race with over 1,200m of climbing in 28km of mixed terrain including lots of trods, suicidal descents and some climbs that felt almost vertical. The hot weather made for challenging conditions. The marshals had made great efforts to take extra water out on to the course in some remote locations.
First MAC home was Bob ‘The Bog’ Foreman. He had been stuck up to his waist the previous weekend on a recce, he managed to rescue himself with a liberal application of post watershed language and supportive laughter from his running buddy. In the race he helped retrieve an unfortunate chap who didn’t have Bob’s command of language. He was 22nd overall in a time of 3h51m15s, this also earnt him all the age group prizes from MV50 upwards.
Next back was Nick Gant in 46th in a time of 4h8m31s, David Robertson was 56th in 4h29m2s. Ayako Yokoyama-Nichols was the final MAC finisher in 86th (12th female) in 5h2m28s.
The rate of attrition was high with 22 of the 133 starters not finishing for a variety of reasons.
The winner was Henry Ruddell of Pudsey & Bramley AC in 2h50m11s. First female was Emily Cowper-Coles of Dark Peak Fell Runners in 3h3m47s.
This was a challenging race but very well organised by Holmfirth Harriers with a great selection of rolls, cake and tea for all finishers.
