Three Shires 2009

What a race! Pre race favourite had to be the in-form Ricky Lightfoot closely followed by Danny Hope of Pudsey, fresh from his excellent performance at Ben Nevis. Unfortunatley for the pair of favourites, the misty day coupled with their hasty descent off Wetherlam meant that they went astray and were out of the running for the victory.

Jim, Chris and Nick took the traditional race route up Wetherlam which is a tough, steep and long climb. Upon reaching the summit they were met by a very chirpy Mark who was trotting along whistling to himself.....perhaps his route is slightly better!

The group then made a cautious descent and climb up Prison Band with Chris feeling good and deciding to push on alone. He then also fell foul of the misty conditions and descended too far down wet side edge and had to run back up the road to the Three Shires stone where he saw the Mark and Jim pass through in the distance.

This meant that Chris, along with a well paced Nick were persuing them up Blisco. The group came together on the run off Blisco then it was Nick Fish that applied the pressure to the rest with a very strong run up Lingmoor. The group was stretched at the summit but with only Mark Roberts knowing the best line back to the finish the group quickly reformed.

The final descent was hectic to say the least with the lead changing hands up to 15 times but when it flattened out for the long track/field run in it was down to speed. Chris managed to squeeze his way through and make use of the recent track and road work he has done to take victory by 5 seconds with Jim just pipping Nick over the line and Mark following in fourth only 11 secs from the lead.

All four enjoyed the battle and were pleased that Borrowdale dominated the race as well as the open and V40 Male age categories.

Borrowdale Results:

Chris Steele - 1st
Jim Davies - 2nd
Nick Fish - 3rd
Mark Roberts - 4th
Steve Birkingshaw - 12th
Paul Cornforth - 14th
Dave Ward - 32nd
John Nixon - 105th (2nd MV60)
Liz Cowell - 108th
Mike Hind - 187th
Andrew Callcott - 223rd

: Borrowdale Fell Runners : 2009 :