Billy Cartwright of Matlock AC started this race as he meant to go along. Conventional wisdom is that with such a steep ascent coming in this race before you have even had the chance to warm up, then it is better to walk up this ascent, saving your energy for the long steady ascent to the summit which follows. Billy showed no such respect for convention and never fell below a steady jog, once he had crossed the beck, until he disappeared out of sight through the fell gate. That is quite awesome running and demonstrated what a supreme athlete he is. It was therefore no surprise that he was the first to re-appear to make the descent, with a good lead over his challenger, the evergreen Graham Pearce from Pudsey & Bramley. Having shown the crowd, that had gathered on the opposing hillside, how to ascend, he then proceed to give a classic demonstration of how to make a steep descent at speed. What a great all round fell runner and a deserved winner of the race. Perhaps with some stronger competition, he could have been pushed to challenging the record for this race.
In the ladies race, Nicola Jackson came 2nd last year when it was a British and English Championship race, so she was always going to be the one to beat and she finished 4th overall and first lady. Her challenger was the young Lauren Munro-Bennett from Ambleside and she put in a good performance in her debut appearance in this race as a senior and she is definitely one to watch for the future.
Sam Watson is not doing very much fell running these days, but he is keeping himself fit by doing a lot of cycling and he demonstrated all of his old his prowess on the fells by taking a podium place and finishing third and his team mate from Wharfedale, Anne Hassell, also had a good run to finish third lady.
Nick Treitl was the leading member of the host club to take part, finishing in 4th place in the men's race.
It was a good day's racing in almost perfect conditions with the recent dry weather leaving it firm underfoot and the beck reduced to almost a trickle and it was a very good start for new race organiser Andy Berry.