Cross Keys Fell/Road relay

Andrei Vais on the 1 st Fell leg for the ‘C’ team, his first club race.

On a grey Saturday morning 5 teams from Holmfirth made their way over the border to Uppermill for the Cross Keys Road –Fell Relay. This is the best turnout for some years and but for a late withdrawal of a member in the ladies 1 st team for whom Kath couldn’t find a replacement we would have had 6 teams running. This was a pity as the ladies team would have certainly have been in the frame for the top position.

As we climbed up Greenfield Road past Snoopy’s the clag was down and the flags were straight out in the strong wind although by the time we had dropped down to Dovestones conditions were much better.

By 12.30 all the teams were registered and there was a real buzz about the place as the 40 teams got their first leg runners ready for the two lap road leg. This is a tough course with a fast down hill start a long climb back up and a descent back to the start before repeating the whole thing again for lap two. First home for Holmfirth ‘A team’ and in second position overall was Dave Watson in 17:05 followed by Ricky South ‘B’, 18:13; Jared Croft ‘C’, 19:34; Kevin Yewlett MV50, 21:07 and Lesley Ewart FV, 22:35. These 1 st leg runners then handed over to their 2 nd team member who ran the 1 st fell leg. This consisted of a steady climb up onto Saddleworth Moor before dropping down to Greenfield Road above Dovestones Res. Followed by another climb back up onto the moor before a fast final descent, mainly on good grassy fields, back to the road and the start. The whole process is then repeated with leg 3 on the road and leg 4 on the fell. As you might imagine by the time leg 3 and 4 runners are running the start finish area is pretty hectic with runners going through for their second lap on the road, runners handing over to their next team member, finished runners talking through their race with team members, spectators everywhere and the constant shout of “make way for runners” (or something a little less polite!) from the marshals.

This is a great way to enjoy an afternoon running with and supporting your club members with a friendly pub at the end in which to chat (and have a drink) while waiting for the results. Besides having a very enjoyable time Holmfirth teams posted some excellent runs details below. Why not have ago next year we can put in as many teams as we like, male, female, vets, mixed and junior (I’m not sure when we last took a junior team), not far to go only £2.50 / person to enter.

Holmfirth Results:

‘A’ Team: 2 nd overall, Dave Watson 17:05; Tom Brunt 19:46; Alistair Langron 17:38; Bill Stewart 19:58

‘B’ Team: 4 th overall, Ricky South 18:13; Gavin Baxter 21:21; Dave Watson 17:26; Nigel Moran; 22:55 (Dave ran twice to fill in a vacant place).

‘C’ Team: 11 th overall, Jared Croft19:34; Andrei Vais 24:25; Geoff Hall 19:09; Gavin Baxter 23:02 (Gavin ran twice to fill a vacant place).

Men’s Over 50 Team: 12 th overall, 2 nd Vet team and 1 st Vet 50 team, Kevin Yewlett 21:07; John Ewart 23:02; Ian Moore 20:50; Rob Kersey 24:33.

Ladies Vet Team: 2 nd ladies and 1 st lady vets, Lesley Ewart 22:35; Yvette Arthur 28:33; Helen Pettit 23:58; Karen Sinkinson 28:52.