Luke Beresford reports
A quick report of the English Championship Fell Race that took place this weekend on what was probably the hottest day of the year so far with temperatures peaking around 23c.
8 Matlock runners made the trip up to Lancashire and to the small picturesque village of Downham, 3 miles north of Clitheroe with the mighty Pendle hill dominating the landscape and looking quite menacing as the MAC team assembled and psyched themselves up for the 14 mile, 4100ft task that was ahead of them.
Glorious sunshine and blue sky set the tone for the 11am start on Saturday, with the thermometer beginning to creep up into the 20s, the runners were away and heading up Pendle hill with 8 checkpoints to visit.
Pendle Hill steeped in myth, legend and the Pendle Witches soon began to cast a spell and the relentless climbs and scorching heat soon began to impede a few, including myself, struggling and stumbling, I definitely under estimated the difficulty of the race, Staying hydrated was difficult and heatstroke began to take its toll, but the route was pretty epic and a great adventure, if nothing else very humbling and character building.
Rossendale mountain rescue were called out to a runner in difficulty with heatstroke and quite a few runners unfortunately did not finish.
The well at checkpoint 8 with natural spring water was a godsend before a final descent off Pendle hill back to the finish in Downham. Full credit to the marshals out on the course as they were very helpful & encouraging.
A cracking race, although at the time I can’t say I was particularly enjoying it but by the time you have finished, enjoyed an ice cream and a beer or two, you realise what a great adventure it was. I’m sure most runners can relate to this!!!! 
Winner – Ben Rothery – Ilkley Harriers – 1.58
Female Winner – Nichola Jackson – Keswick AC – 2.20
Both course records
5th – Billy Cartwright – MAC – 2.04
10th – Dan Haworth – MAC – 2.11
32nd – Joe Oldfield – MAC – 2.19
51st – Max Wainwright – MAC – 2.27
86th – Luke Beresford – MAC – 2.40
140th – Bob Foreman – MAC – 3.01 (1st V65)
259th – Geoff Cooper – MAC – 3.55
DNF – Richard Bradbury – MAC – (Cramp)
290 finishers – 17 DNFs
Next English champ race – Buttermere Sailbeck (Saturday 15th June) Entries still open!!!!!
