Hodgson Brothers Mountain Relay 2021 

Thrilled to announce that Keswick AC Men’s team have won the prestigious Hodgson Brothers Mountain Relay for the 4th time in a row!

Leg 1, Patterdale to Hartsop, via Angletarn Pikes. 4 miles and 1300ft climb. Ran by Sam Stead and Tom Day, in 35:27.  The days fastest time for leg 1. Coming in ahead of Ambleside, who finished in 36:35.

Leg 2, Hartsop to Kirkstone Pass, via The Knott, High Street and Caudale Moor. It is about 7 mile with 2900ft climb. Ran by Harry Bolton and John Battrick, in 1:07:39. The 4th fastest time of the day. Carnethy Hill Runners, gained 2 places to come in to the change over just before Keswick.

Leg 3, Kirkstone to Hartsop Hall. Via Red Screes, Little Hart Crag and Dove Crag. 4 miles with 1900ft ascent. Matthew Atkinson and Steve Hebblethwaite ran the fastest leg time by over a minute and a half. They reclaimed 1st place and completed the leg in 48:22. Ambleside were 2nd fastest in 50:01, finishing the leg in 2nd place overall.

Leg 4, Hartsop Hall to Patterdale. Via Hart Side, Fairfield, Cofa Pike, St Sunday Crag. Which is about 7.25 mile with 3000ft ascent. Ambleside again ran a fast time of 1:07:53. But it wasn’t enough to catch up Mark Lamb and Carl Bell. Who ran the fastest leg time of 1:07:35.

The overall time was 3:39:03. Over 2 minutes ahead of second placed Ambleside AC, who finished in 3:41:37. Carnethy Hill Runners finished third, in 3:46:29.

Our fabulous women’s team had a great run, and finished in 3rd place.

Their splits were:

Leg 1: Jenn Bell and Heidi Dyson ran the 40th fastest time overall time in 52:28. This was Jenn’s first major race since giving birth to Elsie last year! Helm Hill ran the fastest ladies time for leg 1, in 50:14.

Leg 2: Jodie Gray and Philippa Wakefield ran the leg in 1:40:07. Despite losing 8 places they ran very well in the grim conditions, which included hail stones on High Street. Helm Hill ran the fastest ladies time for leg 2, in 1:17:08.

Leg 3: Cat Evans and Charlie Bradshaw ran 1:10:37. Regaining two places, to bring the team back up to 46th.  Ambleside ran the fastest ladies time for leg 3, in 1:05:48.

Leg 4: Cat Spurden and Kat Townshend brought it in for the team in 1:36:31. Finishing 3rd Ladies team and 46th overall. Again, Helm Hill ran the quickest ladies time for leg 4, in 1:26:56.

Overall time was 5:19:37. Helm Hill ladies were first, in a time of 4:40:50. Ambleside Ladies matched their men’s result by also finishing second in 4:58:18.

Keswick Vets finished 6th, and 29th overall.

Leg 1: Simon Veitch and Craig Smith, in 51:53.

Leg 2: Steve Angus and Dave Prosser, in 1:29:30

Leg 3: Jim Haworth and Jonny Hume, in 1:05:07

Leg 4: Phil Winskill and Dave Birch, in 1:28:25.

Overall time was 4:54:55. Dark Peak won the Vets category in 4:21:26. With Helm hill 2nd, 4:21:43. Pennine Fell Runners 3rd, in 4:22:30.

 

Fantastic running by you all!

 

(The vast majority of these photos were taken by James Appleton)