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Chevy Chase There were 162 finishers at the 65th running of the annual Chevy Chase Fell Race on 2 July, with a blustery day and spells of rain adding to the challenge of the 20-mile course, which takes in ascents of the summits of both Cheviot and Hedgehope from Wooler. Once again Morpeth Harrier and Northumberland Fell Runner Matthew Briggs, recently graduated from the University of Lancaster, narrowly missed out on the win, coming home just as last year in 2nd place, with a time of 2 hours 49 minutes and 44 seconds, though surely one year his day will come. The race was won by Bristol and West AC runner and North East resident Jarlath Mckenna, whose remarkable performances continue to belie his veteran status. Having broken the record for the recent 70 mile Hadrian’s Wall run some weeks ago, this time he came home in a time of 2:44:22, only four minutes off the course record of 2 hours 40 minutes set by Richard Hackett back in 1992. Russell Watson of Cheviot Trail Runners was 3rd in 2:58:05, with Victorian Broadbent 27th overall and 1st female finisher in 3:40:56. Over 50 veterans Karen Robertson and Katherine Davis were 2nd and 3rd women home with time of 3:50:44 and 3:54:38 respectively. Five other Morpeth Harriers and NFRA members completed the course, with Richard Kirby 54th (5th Over 50) and Steve Haswell 58th, both just beating the four hour mark with times of 3:58:32 and 3:58:51. Lee Bennett was 62nd in 4:07:24, Mike Steven 118th in 4: 48: 10 and Claire Calverley 141st and 6th Female Over 40 in 5:28: 08. Windy Gyle There were some 65 finishers two weeks previously at the shorter Windy Gyle Fell Race which starts and finishes at the head of the Coquet Valley at Barrowburn. Won by Kris Akon of NFRA in a time of 1 hour 4 minutes and 40 seconds, the race saw a new women’s course record set by Morpeth’s Cat Macdonald, who also placed 6th overall, with a clocking of 1:09:17. Club colleague Richie Hughes was 4th in 1:07:40 and Lee Bennett just behind Cat in 9th (1:09:16). It was a family day out in the hills for the Macdonalds, with Alistair 23rd in 1:16:23 and daughter Linzi running with mother Margaret to come home in 63rd and 64th respectively. Also using the race as a warm up for the Chevy Chase were Richard Kirby (29th in 1:20:21), Kevin Bray (42nd in 1:31:39), Mike Steven (1:32:50), Jane Kirby (1:37:03) and Claire Calverley (57th in 1:44:50).  Matthew Briggs, left, sets the pace at the Chevy Chase Comments are closed.
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