Howgills Juniors

Howgills Juniors on Sun 12th May 2024

The U13 race takes off. Winder behind.

Finlay sprint-tussling a CVFR runner to the finish.

A belated report to bring things up-to-date on the FRA Junior Championship series, with 3 of the total 6 races now done.

On 12^th May we were at the Howgills, running on Arant Haw and Winder - the first and last hills of that area’s classic long senior race (Sedbergh Hills). DPFR was represented in U13, U15 and U17 categories.

Arant Haw (the first hill in that senior AL) has 508 m of ascent, which was climbed in the U17 and U19 races on a 7km course. Adults got to race on the same course also - a fierce AS in senior speak, and really a tough outing for our U17 runners.

All other age categories ran on the slopes of Winder. The event was run from Sedbergh School’s  playing field, which gave spectator’s a great silhouetted view of the main grinding ascent of Winder’s southeast ridge. In its lower reaches this ridge is definite hands-on-knees territory. Our juniors in both the U13 and U15 races all dealt with this steepest part.

The U13s then broke off rightwards where the ridge angle eases, following trods to join the main path down the valley and back into town.

U15s continued to the summit cairn,  followed by a long haul eastwards to pick up that same descent.

All our spectating adults remained in the field for these younger two races race, with the pick of the close-up spectating being Finlay’s extended sprint tussle all the way to the line with a Calder Valley rival.

Izzy-Mai had a great return to Championship form, finishing 3^rd girl and only 12 seconds behind Penistone’s very consistent Greahagh Turner.

A great effort from all our juniors that day, though unfortunately as with the Duddon not everyone got the result that their consistent efforts deserve. Notwithstanding other mishaps that arise, at their growing age it is even harder for juniors to maintain consistent form than it is for us adult fellrunners.

Jon Coe

26th May, 2024