Brief statement of results:- Senior Men – 3rd : MV40 – 1st : Ladies – 2nd
Helen says:
The dark peak ladies team consisted of Debs Smith and Nicky Parkin (both late call ups), Jude Jepson and Helen Elmore, Lynn Bland and Kirsty Bryan Jones, Nicky Spinks and Pippa Wilkie. This was an all vets team but unfortunately no women’s vet prize at the IHR. As proved time and time again having the fastest runners at the Hodgson doesn’t always guarantee success. Nicky and Pippa bagged the fastest leg time for leg 4, whilst Keswick ladies went walk about!
and Mike Nolan says:
The V40 retained their Ian Hodgson title on Sunday with a strong performance in varying conditions. Mike Nolan and Mick Stenton came home about 30 seconds up on Ambleside after a slippery leg 1. John Hunt and Dave Taylor navigated through the mists of High Street and Caudate Moor to keep us in touch with an increasing strong Ambleside. Leg 3 proved crucial and Mike Robinson and Dan Middlemas kept their nerve and footing over red screes to bring us home well in the lead. Ambleside lost 15 mins on this leg.
Although they didn’t know Jon Morgan and Steve Pyke were as safe as could be but admitted they were running scared. In fact they held their position and even held off a fast finishing Kendal open team in the home straight to finish a creditable 6th overall. The v40s have now won 5 of the last 7 events. With an average age of about 47 experience is now our key weapon and I hope we can win a couple more before Borrowdale finally start losing and put up a vets team! Well done to the open team who came third with the youngest team in about 20 years!
And finally… this from Rob Little
DPFR have never won the Hodgsons, and it’s not for want of trying! The captain had a slight headache regarding sorting the open team this year, so we weren’t really sure of team expectations. But we had good start from Josh Williams and William Gardner, narrowly in 4th. Rhys and Rob soon overtook Wharfedale gaining 3rd and trying to chase down about 2 mins on Borrowdale and Calder Valley. Two very strong teams in front, and we changed over in 3rd (least the navigation was spot on!). Rich Guillaume and Jonny Malley had a very solid run on 3rd leg, as Borrowdale strongly pulled away and gaps opened up in front and behind us (3rd fastest on leg, despite Rich pouring blood on the descent). Neil and Tom Saville on last leg weren’t realistically going to gain 3.5 on strong Calder valley descenders, and barring disaster weren’t going to lose a similar advantage. Indeed they had a strong leg with good routes, and brought us back 3rd team. Considering this was the first time 5 of the team had done the event, a very good result. Thanks to everyone who ran, especially for your enthusiasm and commitment. A very enjoyable weekend in the hills.