Fell Running: Run and row entertains

Revived nine years ago this unusual event involves competitors sprinting 400 metres along a track and road to the rear of the Lakeside Hotel where they leap into a boat and row across the lake before running 900ft up the precipitous Gummers Howe – returning by the same route.

Staveley’s Rob Jebb turned up to watch the race and with Borrowdale’s Andrew Schofield pulling out managed to get a last-minute entry and promptly went on to win the individual event and pick up the £100 first prize and 100-year-old silver teapot.

But his route to victory was not straight forward as he got hooked up with three other boats in the middle of the lake and emerged from the water in next to last position.

Once on dry land, however, he made his presence felt and stormed up the fell to overhaul Ulverston’s Chris Doyle, 17, who had been the early leader.

Ambleside’s Jon Deegan also had problems on the water but got his bearings on the fell and pulled through to third place with Ian Smith-Ward and Hoad Hill’s Damian Jones following closely in his wake.

Horwich – Steve Barlow, Colin Rigby and James Logue - retained their team prize but failed to beat the record time of 28-03 set by Helm Hill in 2000 although they were five seconds quicker than last year.

There was a heart-stopping moment for Ambleside when they lost an oar half way across the lake but Paul Singleton saved the day by leaping into the freezing water to retrieve it. As he splashed about and the Walney coastguard rescue boat buzzed around him, Helm Hill – Tom Tipping, Paul Brittleton and Shaun Addison - began their return journey back across the lake. But helped by his team-mates Nick Sharp and Graham Patten, a soggy Singleton managed to get back on board and recover the situation with Ambleside cruising home in second place.

Results: Individual: 1 R Jebb, Bingley, 28-13; 2 C Doyle, Trafford, 28-34; 3 J Deegan, Ambleside, 30-57; 4 I Smith-Ward, 31-03; 5 D Jones, Hoad Hill, 31-07; 6= C Speight, Ambleside, & M Addison, Helm Hill, 31-41; 8= S Millican, Kendal, & D Kearns, Bolton, 33-28; 10 N Dewhurst, 35-51.

Team: 1 Horwich, 28-22; 2 Ambleside, 30-19; 3 Helm Hill, 31-32.

n SETTLE’S Lee Athersmith won Saturday’s four-and-a-half mile Langcliffe Gala fell race with team mate Andrew Pickles following him home. First veteran was Clayton’s Colin Urmston who was third while the first lady was Salford’s Tricia Sloan who was 25th in 43-15.

Results: 1 L Athersmith, Settle, 37-13; 2 A Pickles, Settle, 37-51; 3 C Urmston, Clayton, 38-42; 4 D Horsfall, Settle, 38-47; 5 G Bird, Bingley, 39-01; 6 B Walton, unattached, 39-30; 7 G Taylor, Darwen, 40-04; 8 M Keys, Rossendale, 40-21; 9 B Lonsdale, Settle, 41-14; 10 A Holden, Settle, 41-49.

n THE multi-terrain Twenty Barrier Challenge takes place from Carnforth High School on Tuesday night, July 1, starting at 7pm. The barriers include stiles and gates and the route takes in Crawstone Woods, Whorley Moss and Lunesfield Quarries.

n THE third of six Lanequest events was based at Cartmel Village Hall and organised by Paul Trott.

Although Cartmel sits in a fairly flat bowl-shaped valley, a lot of the surrounding hills were used for controls.

This slowed down the average speed and no-one managed to get all 300 points.

There was a three-way tie between Henry Syska, Pat McVey and S Hardy in the men's class A, all with 270 points.

Anne Plant put in a sterling ride getting 260 points. Second woman was Jo Barret on 230 and R. Slattery third on 225. The team/fun class was again won by the flying duo of B. Cheeseman and R. Morris again on mountain bikes, but they shared the position with H. Krynen and L. Mannion, both pairs scoring 240.

The controls went as far north as Seatle Woods and as far south as Humphrey Head and Flookburgh Airfield.

There were 87 competitors and this week's charity donation of around £100 is going to the David Rayner Fund for young cyclists.