FELL CHAMPS UPDATE after Warslow; Tal Y Fan and the Forest 5

[BARRY BLYTH]

1. OVERALL CHAMPS: Matt Lewis still leads with Chris Bentley 2nd and Billy Hicks moving up to 3rd. Chris and Billy have a race(s) in hand. Kathleen O’Donnell leads the ladies from Andrea Frost. Both are likely to be usurped by Alannah Birtwistle who has a couple of races in hand but needs to do a long. This year’s “Club Enthusiasts” look to be Oscar Trevina and Kathleen who have done 17 and 16 respectively of the possible 19 races to date (9 to go). With regard to the Handicap competition this is very closely contested with Billy just ahead of Alannah and Kathleen all running about 4% quicker than last year.

2. THE SUMMER SERIES: Forest 5 was the 6th in this 8 race series with a great turnout of 40 harriers racing with similar numbers helping out or supporting. Several have the required 5 races under their belt and for the men Billy is unbeatable. Similarly Alannah for the ladies

3. THE HIGH FELL SERIES. Matt and Kathleen lead. both having completed the required 3 of the 6 possible but lots of scope for change with 3 still to go. Next race is the Turner Landscape Aug 5th. Super scenery.

SOME OBSERVATIONS: 4 Races (Rainow 5; Bollington 3 peaks; Shining Tor and Forest 5) have had turnouts of over 40 harriers racing.124 have done at least 1 race. 29 have done at least 5 races With 9 races remaining ample opportunity to complete 10 qualifying races.

Updated table for the overall series attached.

Barry