Helm Hill Runners Uphill Championship

Uphill Championship race.
26th March 2011

For the last three years this has been run as a downhill race. So this year I thought it would be a good idea to reverse the route and give everyone a good testing uphill knowing they would not have to turn and race back down. Hopefully this meant runners could put everthing into the ascent!

The race is usually planned for December, just before the club presentation evening. But the weather had something to say about that. I attempted to get to the start a few days before but the roads were too icy. Reluctantly I postponed. The date was eventually reset for 26th March. And the venue changed from Fairmile to Cautley. A bit short notice but I spread the word and leafleted cars at the Cautley winter league race to drum up support.

The day dawned clear and bright with a cooling breeze, perfect conditions. DW and myself flagged the route up Yarlside from Cautley and I was back at the car awaiting runners before 11am. They came in one's and two's and by 12 noon I had the grand total of nine!!

Setting them off a minute intervals did not take very long after which I set of up the hill to collect the flags. Meeting DW on his way down we were packed up and ready to go by 1pm. Most of the runners had continued after the finish to make a longer training run out of the day.

I think this could be a really godd event and Cautley is a perfect venue. The feedback from the runners was great. So the race will be on again next year.
Thanks to those who ran and DW for the flagging and timekeeping.

Results can be found on the Helm Hill website and forum. Follow the links.

Russell