I went to Kilnsey Show again this year. It's on such an attractive site, against the backdrop of Kilnsey Crag and surrounded by the beauty and space of Upper Wharfedale. The weather was good and the show full of interest. Its highlight is the Crag Races in the late afternoon. This year I stood at the bottom of the course, watching the runners leap through the stream and then race up the first steep slope. Look back at my pictures from last year (see HERE) to get an idea of the challenge of this course, one of the hardest fell races that there is, being short (just over 1 mile) and steep (400' almost vertically up and down). These are the senior runners - and this is the easy bit!
This is the winner hurtling back down the home straight. It was won this year for the second year in a row by Nick Swinburn from Northumberland, in a time of 8 minutes. Last year he ran it in 8 minutes and 3 seconds. The course record is 7:35, dating back to 1982.
Here are some of the other runners. At least they stayed upright; there were quite a few who took a tumble on this steep and slippery grassed slope. For more idea of the fun (!) watch this video of the notorious 'chimney' on the downward run (HERE).
Patrick Wardle, Jim Roberts and Derek Motley (above).
Lucy Needham, Kirstin Bailey, Richard Briscoe, Brett Muir and Michael McLoughlin (below).
I've encountered these mad people when walking in the Lake District, they go at unbelievable speeds over rough terrain.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine that kind of slope being treacherous in such an event!
ReplyDeleteGood photos all around.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! What a race!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine running such a course that steep. Bravo to the runners
Not only have you captured these runners doing the unthinkable, you gave their names! That first shot is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why every single one of these runners doesn't end up with a turned ankle.
ReplyDelete