Over 500 runners charged across the infamous bog at the start of the 50th Carnethy 5 Hill Race straight into Storm Dennis. Most returned a bit later covered in mud and with tales of hanging onto hillsides with their finger nails in the extreme conditions. Hopefully the special 50th race beer and mug helped with recovery!
At the front of the race, something remarkable happened. Sasha Chepelin in retaining his title from last year became the first ever male winner from the organising club (list of winners here). Not only that, but another Carnethy club mate, Eóin Lennon, took 2nd place (the only previous Carnethy finishers in the top 3 were Ian Davidson, Andy Spenceley and Andy Fallas) and with the next two Carnethy runners 5th and 6th place (Andy Fallas, also 1st Over 40, and Finn Lydon respectively) first team prize was assured. Although Sasha is better at running than using the winning Claymore if the demonstration at the prize-giving is anything to go by!
Hannah Russell from Helm Hill Runners was first woman. She must like extreme conditions as also won in 2017 in a blizzard. Like the winning man, she led her team to the team prize as Helm Hill also had 2nd (Sharon Taylor – 1st Over 40) and 4th place (Kelli Roberts), which meant that they could take the Claymore back down to the Lakes for another year. Results
Special mention to two runners who finished the 50th race who ran in the first race in 1971! They were Bobby Shields (482nd) and Ewart Scott (462nd). Also Angela Mudge (Carnethy) and Robert Cranston (Teviotdale) both finished their 21st race and were awarded a 21st Quaich.
Race director Olly Stephenson’s report here.
Prizegiving report here. Photos before Scald Law final climb by Pierrick Pajon here. Photos by Paul Dobson here. Photos from Ruth Crewe and her brother here.
More photos…
Setting up:
How Peter Macdonald managed to take photos on West Kip I don’t know! The wildest part of the course.