Shutlingsloe Juniors

Shutlingsloe Juniors on Sun 19th May 2024

Stanley Coe and Freddie Penn with Shutlingsloe's hill behind.

Dog with the 3^rd most pleasant expression

Your correspondent didn’t make it to the very warm 19^th May race at Shutlingsloe. Dark Peak Juniors were well represented in four age categories from U11 to U17, in an event which ran alongside the Wildboarclough village fete.

It sounds to have involved a downhill dash, river crossing, big hill, steep descent, wooded slopes, return river crossing and uphill finishing field. All packed into a course of 3km with 270 m ascent - which was raced by every category from U13 upwards (the two younger categories kept to steep field action without going across the river). Adults got to race the same course also.

The results table tells the tale. It looks like there were no significant mishaps on this occasion, and hopefully all our runners can feel pretty pleased with themselves in what looks like a great set of results. Included among these are a 3^rd place to Emilia in the U17 girls race, as well as strong performances from some of our juniors who only occasionally race - and one for whom it was their first fell race outing.

Additionally noteworthy, and undoubtedly well-deserved for those who know her, Dark Peak Juniors’ favourite terrier Belle achieved 3^rd place in the “dog with the most pleasant expression” contest.

The championship races are all packed into the summer term. Next up are races at Rossendale (09.06) and at Weaver Hills (15.06) in the White Peak. Then a three week gap till the season finale at Clwydian Hills 7th July.

Jon Coe

26th May, 2024