Scott Gibson Bob Graham Round success

Congratulations to Scott Gibson who successfully completed the Bob Graham Round on Saturday in the fantastic time of 19 hours and 25 minutes.  This epic 42 peak challenge starts and finishes at The Moot Hall in Keswick.   In between there is the minor matter of the equivalent of 2.5 marathons with an ascent of Mount Everest thrown in for good measure.    The round has to be completed in less than 24 hours.

Scott was blessed with good weather all day, with only a small amount of clag on leg 4. Your Correspondent, Phil Green & Paul Hainsworth supported Scott on leg 1, with a 4 am departure over Skiddaw, Great Calva and Blencathra.  After that NFR & friends plus Scott's family saw him round the next 4 legs in fine style.  There was no slacking at the end: NFR ladies Steph & Katherine cranked out the 7 minute miles on the road to push him under the 19:30 mark.  It all ended in celebratory style at 2325 in Keswick Market Place.  A grand day all round!

more photos here

Scott leads the way descending Great Calva

Scott & Sarah at the finish

fellrunning, with a catchy tune to keep you going

YC took advantage of a cool clear day in the Lakes to recce leg 1 of the Bob Graham Round.  This heads over Skiddaw, Great Calva, and Blencathra.   As an added bonus, he climbed Lonscale Fell (see photo below) via the NW ridge, disturbing a peregrine falcon in the process.   Running into Threlkeld at the end, he passed a garage decked out with a model railway.   Check it out below all you model railway enthusiasts.

On Sunday, Mr & Mrs OC attended mass at St Cuthbert's, Durham where they learned a new song - Bring Forth the Kingdom.  Check it out - it's a cracker.

Old County Tops 2015

It's been a while, but Old Cheviot finally felt fit enough to tackle this epic fellrace again.   It's a mere 37 miles, and takes in the high points of the old counties of Westmorland (Helvellyn), Cumberland (Scafell Pike), and Lancashire (Coniston Old Man).  OC ran round with Mrs OC who took all the climbing firmly in her stride, encouraging OC with offers of pints of Sam Smiths OBB.  The encouragement duly worked, and we finished in 9 hours 22 minutes before heading back to The Coplitts Hotel for a couple of pints of the necessary.

Here are some photos taken at the finish in Great Langdale, plus the newly acquired designer T-shirt.

Just a couple of miles to go.  Photo from Kevin Bray

Coz & Kevin's wedding

Congratulations to Coz Cummings and Kevin Mackay who were married on Saturday at Armathwaite Hall (Lake District).  YC knows Coz through running the Coniston 14 years back and then walking in the Lakes since.  The weather perked up allowing the guests to sip champagne in the sunshine, and it was good to catch up with friends (Alex, Helen, Lorna, and Tim).   YC was extremely fortunate to be chauffeur driven to the wedding by Mrs OC.  So he was able to indulge in the odd glass or two of champagne (strictly for quality control purposes, readers must stand).  

The interesting fact for the day was that Coz's mother Brenda witnessed Roger Bannister break the 4 minute mile at Ifley Road, Oxford in 1954. 

surprise guest of the day

Brenda & Bill

name those hills

Sharp-eyed readers will have spotted that BN has a new banner photo.  YC wonders if readers can name the hills in question?

Hint - the photo was taken on the first hill in The Anniversary Waltz fell race.  YC ran this on Saturday in beautiful conditions.  11.5 Lakeland miles sped past in 2 hours 8 mins of glorious fellrunning.

Mrs OC was also out on the fells, running in the longer Teenager with Altitude race.  She excelled herself - finishing first lady and 18th overall.  Testimony indeed to what a few halves of real ale can do for you.

Here is the full version of the photo.

Katie & Paul's wedding

Congratulations to Katie Walker and Paul Carr who were married on Saturday at The White Church, Lytham St Annes.  Katie is YC's cousin.  Here are a couple of photos of the happy couple plus the assembled family.  The sunshine came out on the day - which was fortunate as it was sleeting on the Sunday.  The wedding was followed by a reception at The Clifton Arms.  YC even had time, whisper it quietly, to slope off for a quick pint at The Taps public house nearby - which rounded off an excellent day.

Cleveland Survival - 26 miles (plus some)

OC and Mrs OC ran this at the weekend.  It's a 26 mile challenge event on the North Yorkshire Moors.  OC confesses to mis-marking a checkpoint resulting in a 2 mile detour early on.  Fortunately Mrs OC was endlessly patient, and simply ran harder, pulling OC round the final few miles.  We finished in 6 hours (including the detour).  A good time was had by all.  A commemorative mug allowed for post-race tea, followed by something rather stronger in The Colpitts pub afterwards.

Click here for a fuller report on the NFR website.

for essential post-race tea