Dark Peak Fell Runners played host to the 2019 FRA Relay Champs, situated below Derwent Dam in deepest, darkest Derbyshire – at least it was appearing that way until about 9am, (with the orienteers trying to hide their glee) but by race start the fog had cleared and conditions were glorious with blue skies and blazing sunshine. We had two teams this year, a Women’s and a Men’s with a fine mixture of youth and experience.
Leg 1 kicked off with Elizabeth and Finn covering the 7.6km/360m+ course in 5th lady and 6th overall respectively putting Leg 2 (12.3km.480m+) runners in great position to chase the leading teams. Myself and Andy quickly moved our way up to 4th and with a bit of jostling amongst Dark Peak/Shettleston maintained that position, while Angela and Jill also ran the 6th fastest Leg 2 amongst the Open Women. In contrast to ‘normal’ FRA conditions, Leg 3 (the nav leg) presented no visibility issues as such, just rough heather and tussocky ground over 11km/550m+. Iain and Konrad hit their controls well but being up against the zenith of the British orienteering scene meant some places were lost, whereas Jasmin and Helen ran an incredibly strong 3rd place on their leg. Leg 4 (7.8km/375m+) was roughly a reverse of Leg 1, and Ali ran the 5th fastest leg to make up some big time gaps to take back 4 positions and secure a 10th* place finish. Sarah finished strongly to maintain a high position for the women’s team who placed 7th.
Leg 1: Elizabeth Leason / Finn Lydon
Leg 2: Angela Mudge & Jill Mykura / Eoin Lennon & Andy Fallas
Leg 3: Jasmin Paris & Helen Fallas / Iain Whiteside & Konrad Rawlik
Leg 4: Sarah Foster / Ali Masson
*At time of writing we had moved up to 8th due to #dibbergate disqualifications of the Shettleston and Calder Valley teams – Shettleston finished 3rd after their L4 runner dropped their dibber in a fall in the final 150m, promoting DPFR to the podium, however they refused to accept their bronze medals.
Eóin Lennon