World Masters Fell Running Championships

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The pressure was on, we'd seen excellent performances from Ed Davis (Mercia) 4th o/a in the MV50's race & Nellie (Telford AC) 9th o/a in the WV35's race, both finishing 1st for their country of Wales. The 50's race was also well represented with Simon Daws & Andy Lewis (Shrewesbury AC) both running in their own battle with Andy just coming off the better & with Rick Robson (Mercia) & Paul Sanderson (Telford AC) both enjoying the big occasion.

After waiting hours for the race time of 15:30 hrs to come we were finally off with both men & women jossling for positions on the early section of the course, a relentless stoney trail up to the lower slopes od Skiddaw.

Andy Yapp (Mercia) had disappeared with the early leaders & pressing hard for a good placing, John Sanders (Telford AC) was climbing well & pulling steadily away from me.

I (Telford AC) in turn was getting locked into a battle with the leading ladies which included the likes of Ruth Pickvance & Sally Newman. I think that this helped we to work hard on the middle section of the climb, fending them off but also managing to pass others at the same time.

Once onto the mountain slopes for real, I made a concerted effort to close the gap on John before the summit - my plan was to then run hard off the top & make a good charge on the decent.

This plan didn't last long as John had pulled away & I had used a lot of energy reserves on the ascent which meant I hadn't got the legs to catch him or even to keep him in touch. As usual Mercia's Haydn Jones caught me on the final run-in, one day mate!!

Once off the decent trail & back on the road with about 800m to go my legs completely tied up & I was reduced to no more than a snails pace losing some vital places running into the finish & I only just managed to hold off the leading lady of Sally Newman.

Alan Jenkins (Telford Harriers) had a good run & was pleased to take part in such a major event, as were we all - A good day was had on the hill.

By Andy Smith .

Shropshire finishers:-
Andy Yapp 38th 1hr 0mins 5secs
John Sanders 63rd 1hr 2mins 32secs
Haydn Jones 66th 1hr 3mins
Andy Smith 75th 1hr 3mins 50secs
Scott Lewis 99th 1hr 6mins 47secs
Alan Jenkins 173rd 1hr 19mins 6secs