Well we’ve reached the 25^th Anniversary bash and not without some problems on the way!

This year was no exception to the rule that there is always going to be a few problems it’s just the nature of the beast - ‘Fell Running’ The first situation arose in the Junior Event which was a very competitive struggle between M.Bell of Newton Ayclifffe and A.Brownlee of Bingley. The latter winning out in the last part of the descent.

In the main race, advantage was taken of the new route coming in above Sleddale Farm and the wonderful weather especially ordered for the day. Times were fast and in the women’s race the old record established by Carol Greenwood looked under threat from Sheila Allen who was certainly going for it. In the men’s race it was very competitive with Charles Stead and Morgan Donnelly of Northumberland Fell Runners just heading a group of six including Ben Grant, Joe Blackett, Andy Bissell and Dave Chippett. On reaching the road from Westerdale however the front three decided to follow the old classic route instead of heading towards the checkpoint at Percy Rigg Gate. Runners were warned about this at the start, as last year some runners were reported to have cut through the wood after they hit the ‘T’ junction above Sleddale. The front two this year did not reach this check and although it was argued that no real benefit resulted the check was not visited. Consequently three out of the first four to the Captain Cook’s Check were disqualified.

At the end of the event Joe Blackett went on to win setting the new course record at 83.46. The winner of the over 50 vet race was Jeff Winder finishing third overall in 88.02. The winner of the Over 40 Vet race was Paul Kelly in 4^th place overall. Vet 60 was won by Ronnie Sherwood with a welcome return to fitness.

In the Women’s race Sheila Allen just missed the old record but established new figures for the new route in 94.46. Sheila was also first in the Vet Women’s. Maureen Gibbs won the women’s Vet 50 event finishing just ahead of Sandra Jemson who won the Vet 45 section.

In the team Races Middlesbrough Athletic Club ( Mandale ) managed to take first with Scarborough and Knavesmire in second and third respectively. Knavesmire just edged out ‘Mandale’ ‘B’ by one point. In the women’s Team New Marske just eased ahead of Thirsk & Sowerby by one point with Newton Ayclifffe third.

Here’s a final thought:- to my recollection we have now had nine different routes for the Moors Race in twenty five years and I have witnessed everyone and marked out 24 of them. Can we seriously talk in terms of records or should we just continue to run a course as close to the original concepts as we can with best times. In my view the best time was run by Marco Cara who doesn’t appear in the record book now. This is simply because distance covered on the ground is always going to vary as management of the countryside changes.  

Dave Parry N.E.C.A.A. Hill Running Co-ordinator
 
(results software by Rob Pollard)