Latest news with #fellrunning
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Will a 50-year-old fell racing record tumble at Grasmere Sports?
Graham Moffat, holder of the 50-year-old record in the Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show Under-17s race, as pictured back in 1975 (Image: Supplied) A fell-running record that has stood for half a century is set to come under the spotlight at Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show. The 50-year-old record, set by Sedbergh runner Graham Moffat in the under-17s fell race at the show, has become a legendary benchmark in youth fell running. Advertisement Mr Moffat's time of nine minutes and 3.6 seconds has remained unbeaten since he set it in 1975, and organisers say this could be the year it finally falls. Moffat being sponged down after completing his triumphant race in 1975 (Image: Supplied) John Hibbert, chairman of the Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show, said: "It's a 50-year record, celebrating its golden anniversary, and we probably need to witness the gold standard of fell running, if we are to see a new name in the record books. "We've long talked about wanting to see someone break Fred Reeves' record, but Graham Moffat's record is even older. "It's incredible that nobody has beaten it over the past five decades, but perhaps this is the year that we will see it finally tumble. Advertisement Moffat, collapsed on the finish line after setting the now 50-year-old record in the Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show Under-17s race back in 1975 (Image: Supplied) "Athletes in that age category should have glory in their sights, as they could make a real name for themselves, if they can become a Grasmere Sports record-breaker." The under-17s race climbs 208.78 metres up Butter Crag before runners turn for the fast and technical descent. Mr Moffat, now in his mid-60s, said his own motivation came from the fierce rivalry between senior fell runners Fred Reeves and Tommy Sedgwick. The under-17s race climbs 208.78 metres up Butter Crag before runners turn for the fast and technical descent (Image: Picasa) He said: "Everyone needs heroes to look up to and I had Fred and Tommy. Advertisement "Unless there are role models like that, it's hard for athletes to get the right motivation. "I practised hard and took it seriously because I wanted to emulate their achievements." Mr Moffat had just left school when he set the record. It was his final year in the under-17 category before moving up to compete against his idols in the senior race. Although he has only faint memories of the day, a YouTube video shows him setting off in the race, crossing the finish line, and collapsing from exhaustion before being revived with a wet sponge. Fell racers on the start line at Grasmere Sports 2024, in soggy and wet conditions (Image: Grasmere Sports/Emma Taylor) One detail he does remember is that his race number nine was later handed to John Noakes, TV presenter, who was competing in the senior event. Advertisement Mr Moffat said: "I remember John Noakes from Blue Peter competing in the wrestling and the Senior Guides race. "When I'd finished my race, the organisers took my number and gave it to Noakes." The record remains out of reach for most. The closest time in recent memory was set by Johnny Bland in 1989, who finished in around nine minutes and 15 seconds. More recent winners have typically clocked between nine minutes 44 seconds and nine minutes 46 seconds. This year's under-17s race, sponsored by Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, will award the winner the J and ME Batchelor Cup, £60 in prize money, and a medal. Advertisement Tommy Sedgwick, former fell-runner and now Bellman of Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show (Image: Supplied) The fastest girl will receive the Tom Sedgwick Challenge Cup. Organisers say Mr Moffat will not be able to attend the event as he is on holiday, but the occasion will still honour his achievement. Mr Moffat said: "I don't remember much about the day but am very proud to think my record has stood for 50 years. "I hope some youngster will one day get the right motivation and determination to beat the record."
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fell runner rescued after sustaining ankle injury during Bob Graham round
A fell runner attempting the Bob Graham round needed to be saved by mountain rescue teams. Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) were notified by Cockermouth MRT about a fell runner who had sustained an ankle injury on Saturday June 29, When the exact location was determined, it was in Wasdale's patch. After a handover, the Wasdale MRT Team Leader 'swiftly' called out the team. The dramatic landscape which greeted the team (Image: Wasdale MRT) Once on scene the fell runner was assessed and the ankle splinted for extra stability. After transferring to the team stretcher, the tricky carry down to Gavel Neese was completed without incident. A handover to the awaiting ambulance crew was then undertaken before returning to base to reset the vehicles. The Wasdale team on site (Image: Wasdale MRT) The Bob Graham Round is a fell running challenge in the Lake District. It is named after Bob Graham, a Keswick guest house owner, who in June 1932 broke the Lakeland Fell record by traversing 42 fells within a 24-hour period. The Wasdale team on site (Image: Wasdale MRT) Traversing the 42 fells, starting and finishing at Keswick Moot Hall, involves running 66 miles with more than 8,000 metres of climbing. READ MORE: Lake District: Wasdale park and ride service approved | News and Star A spokesperson for Wasdale MRT said: 'We hope the fell runner is recovering well, and hope he returns to successfully complete his Bob Graham challenge in the future.'
Telegraph
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Dive-bombing buzzard terrorises children's running race
A children's running race was cancelled after a dive-bombing buzzard attacked runners on the route. The junior fell running competition at Foel Fenlli, a hill in Denbighshire, north Wales, was called off over fears the menacing raptor could target participants. Nigel Crompton, a fell runner and organiser of the race, said he was repeatedly set upon by the bird nearby. Attack from above 'I was following a path along the valley when I suddenly felt something hit the back of my head accompanied by a swooshing sound,' he told BBC News. 'Within seconds it circled round and headed straight back towards me. My initial instinct was to run faster and get out of there but several times I felt and heard it swooping down against the back of my head. 'Apparently, you're not supposed to run. I know that now. I was dive-bombed several more times but found that by stopping and facing it the bird was more likely to stay high. 'It continued to circle around menacingly, however, until I was clear of the area. It was magnificent and yet unnerving.' Mr Crompton said he feared young runners would be attacked by the bird if the race, which was due to be held on Sunday, went ahead. 'Thoughts quickly moved from survival to the race in just a few days,' he said. 'I had by now Googled buzzard attacks and discovered them incredibly prevalent in the Highlands, in the Lakes and in Shropshire, especially targeting runners. The advice, after all, is not to run. 'Concerns were obviously for the safety of our junior athletes with fears that more runners in the area may further distress and agitate the birds and concerns for the disturbance of a protected species. 'The main message, for me, is for people to be aware. I have been running in these hills for years and never encountered this before and yet now find that buzzard attacks are not uncommon and runners seem to be most targeted.' Protective parent The race had been held in the Clywdian Hills since 2023. It is one of six events in the English Junior Fell Championships, with others taking place in Seathwaite, Cumbria, Clougha Pike, Lancashire, and Edale, Derbyshire. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said that the buzzard was likely to have been protecting young chicks. 'Although it's no consolation to those attacked, it is unusual for buzzards, or any other bird of prey, to attack humans,' a spokesman for RSPB Cymru said. 'The birds are most likely just being good parents and defending their young.' They added that they advised people to avoid the area for the short period of time until the young leave the nest.
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Foel Fenlli fell running race cancelled over dive-bombing buzzard
A mountain running race has been cancelled because of a dive-bombing organiser of the junior fell running race at Foel Fenlli in the Clwydian Range, Denbighshire, said he came into contact with the bird while running in the area."I was following a path along the valley when I suddenly felt something hit the back of my head accompanied by a swooshing sound," Nigel Crompton Fell Runners Association said it was not safe for people to take part in the event on Sunday, and that it would not be fair on the protected species. Fell running is a type of hill or mountain running, and often involves routes with no race in the Clwydian Range has been held since 2023 and is one of the races in the English Junior Fell Championships, with participants from seven years Crompton described looking up and seeing the buzzard fly away from him after swooping down."Within seconds it circled round and headed straight back towards me. My initial instinct was to run faster and get out of there but several times I felt and heard it swooping down against the back of my head."Apparently, you're not supposed to run. I know that now. I was divebombed several more times but found that by stopping and facing it the bird was more likely to stay high."It continued to circle around menacingly, however, until I was clear of the area. It was magnificent and yet unnerving." Mr Crompton said he raised concerns about junior athletes being targeted by the bird."Thoughts quickly moved from survival to the race in just a few days. "I had by now Googled buzzard attacks and discovered them incredibly prevalent in the Highlands, in the Lakes and in Shropshire, especially targeting runners. The advice, after all, is not to run."After speaking to the Fell Runners Association and local Rangers in the Clwydian Range, Mr Crompton was then advised the race should not go ahead."Concerns were obviously for the safety of our junior athletes with fears that more runners in the area may further distress and agitate the birds and concerns for the disturbance of a protected species," he said."The main message, for me, is for people to be aware. I have been running in these hills for years and never encountered this before and yet now find that buzzard attacks are not uncommon and runners seem to be most targeted."Knowledge is powerful, however, and if we are aware then we can both hopefully continue to co-habit the hills in harmony."
BBC News
03-07-2025
- BBC News
Ex-soldier died in fall from Lake District ridge during run event
A former SAS soldier died after slipping from a Lake District ridge in bad weather during a running challenge, an inquest has Thomas, 58, had been near the summit of Pillar mountain in the western Lakes in August last Thomas, who was from Hereford, was 20 hours into the Bob Graham Round, which involves crossing 42 fells over 66 miles (106km) in 24 Margaret Taylor, sitting at Cockermouth, recorded a verdict of accidental death. Members of Wasdale and Cockermouth Mountain rescue teams were able to locate Mr Thomas's body at Pillar Cove in poor visibility as his head torch was still shining, the inquest was wife, Jo, thanked the volunteers who recovered his body in a seven-hour Thomas was described as a fit and experienced fell runner who was well equipped and had previously climbed the retiring from the SAS in 2005, he became a qualified mountain leader, guiding people on ridge walks in Queen appointed him MBE in 2003 for his Arabic linguistic skills that he had used during his Army career. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
