Many thanks for all the positive messages and for the interesting comments following the postponement of this year’s Hebridean Challenge. Please see the sleepmonsters.com thread entitled ‘Scottish Races’ if you haven’t done so already, along with my own thoughts further down this page.
The Skye Activity/Social weekend has attracted a fair deal of interest, but the vast majority of responses suggested that people were very happy to simply come along and ‘doing there own thing depending upon the weather’. Additionally, several people have stated that they will be traveling out to The Outer Isles rather than spending time on Skye. I do have some suggestions for routes and activites so if you need inspiration just ask.
Consequently, the Skye weekend will be a very informal affair, and I hope to meet up with people out on Harris/Lewis also. Everyone is invited to come along, whether they were intended to race this year or not. Any number of permutations of activity are possible; road cycling, mtb, running or munro bagging, or even sea kayaking. It has even been suggested that I facilitate a half day Heb Navigation/Tactics session which I’m very happy to do if anyone wants it. We (Lindsey and myself) will be based at the Campsite adjacent to The Sligachan Inn, right in the middle of Skye, from late on Friday 3rd July – Monday 6th July. If are coming please book direct with the campsite on 077864 35294 and mention that you are with The Heb group; the campsite has offered to keep us space and you run the risk of it not having space if you don’t. Please also remember that this is an informal arrangement unconnected with the race and it’s admin and insurance, and so you are responsible for your own bookings, fees and safety throughout.
Hopefully there will be quite a gathering of us over the weekend and it would be useful if we could meet up for an open discussion on the pros and cons of Heb Racing. Therefore, I suggest that meeting from 9pm in The Slig Bar on the Saturday night would be the best plan. I will also be there on Friday and Sunday nights, as well primarily to drink beer!
In addition to The Skye weekend, myself and Lindsey will be traveling out to Harris and Lewis for the following week. We intended to be based at Hogabost beach/campsite on the West cast of Southern Harris, from 6-9th, before moving upto the Uigg Sands area (Western Lewis) for the following weekend 10-13th July. Please do come and say 'hello' especially if you have any questions or comments about the Heb and it’s future. I shall be drivng a grey VW Kombi with bikes and sit-upon kayak attached - but watch out for my Black Cullin Isle of Skye cycle jersey also.
Finally, I’m very positive and upbeat about The Heb 2010. There has been a lot of very supportive comments following this year’s postponement and whilst we are not complacent as an organizing group, I am well aware of the minor glitches and frustrations which have blighted recent years.
Lets make 2010 a bumper year .... Roll on 2010.
Joe Faulkner - The Heb Race Director (Race Day Co-ordinator) 2010
faulknerjoe@hotmail.com
www.nav4.co.uk
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Thursday, 18 June 2009
Dockray-Hartside Fell Race - 6m/2000' - 17th June
Yet another climatically invigorating evening at Dockray with clear blustery skies after a very wet day, followed by a very vicious squall to round up the tail of the race.
From my vantage point at the last control on Common Fell, Steve Birkinshaw and Mike Robinson appeared to be having a real head to head tussle with a commanding lead over Mark Denham-Smith. Mike got a better descent line to win by 13 seconds and Mark commented that the direct route from Hartside to Common Fell is definitely quicker than the longer contouring one. I suggest it is quicker in this relatively short race, where as years ago in the days of the long Royal Dockray Helvellyn it was quicker to contour. The vegetation was also much more lush due to the race being six weeks later than normal. After the initial blast up the lane, there is a lot of route choice between each control on the open fell sides, which makes this a tough and very real fell race.
Briony Curtis was first female, and probably first ‘newcomer’ having travelled from Aberdeen via Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds; her sister, Catrina, who lives locally sent her to run! Jane Davies (Fletcher) and Liz Cowell battled it out for second a third females and both finished in the top twenty. Jane would have been first young newly married mum and Liz first senior female but as we have no prizes it’s purely academic.
The usual thanks are due to Jane, Alan and Linz for help at the start and finish, and to Tim for braving the elements on Hartside. Also to Ken for usually being there. Races can’t happen without these people.
Just for the record this race was also run on the original date in May but only three brave heroes turned up on a very stormy night. If it hadn’t been for Ken Ledward already being in place in his bivvi bag on the top we may have cancelled, but those heroes had a great run, and we decided to do it all over again. Top marks for Shaun Hardisty for doing the double.
It appears to have been a bit of a disjointed or disrupted local mid-week calendar this year, with Coledale and Tebay both moving to Saturdays to be Championship races, and no Fellside either?
Roll on 2010 – it will be interesting to see how the calendar pans out.
1 Mike Robinson Dark Peak 53.56
2 Steve Birkinshaw Borrowdale 54.09
3 Mark Denham-smith Keswick 57.22
4 Anthony Lambram Eden Runners 57.31
5 Steve Bennett Eden Runners 57.46
6 Craig Smith Keswick 58.47
7 Ian Davies Keswick 60.11
8 Stephen Hartley Eden Runners 61.08
9 David Owens Keswick 61.18
10 Robin Gillespie Eden Runners 63.05
11 Chris Harling u/a 63.27
12 Gary Johnson u/a 64.65
13 Richard Unwin Keswick 68.09
14 P W Bailey u/a 68.41
15 Briony Curtis Edinburgh H+H 68.42`
16 Shaun Hardisty Eden Runners 69.03
17 Terry Nichol u/a 74.23
18 Simon Veitch u/a 76.29
19 Jane Davies Borrowdale 79.27
20 Liz Cowell Borrowdale 79.29
Joe Faulkner - www.nav4.co.uk
From my vantage point at the last control on Common Fell, Steve Birkinshaw and Mike Robinson appeared to be having a real head to head tussle with a commanding lead over Mark Denham-Smith. Mike got a better descent line to win by 13 seconds and Mark commented that the direct route from Hartside to Common Fell is definitely quicker than the longer contouring one. I suggest it is quicker in this relatively short race, where as years ago in the days of the long Royal Dockray Helvellyn it was quicker to contour. The vegetation was also much more lush due to the race being six weeks later than normal. After the initial blast up the lane, there is a lot of route choice between each control on the open fell sides, which makes this a tough and very real fell race.
Briony Curtis was first female, and probably first ‘newcomer’ having travelled from Aberdeen via Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds; her sister, Catrina, who lives locally sent her to run! Jane Davies (Fletcher) and Liz Cowell battled it out for second a third females and both finished in the top twenty. Jane would have been first young newly married mum and Liz first senior female but as we have no prizes it’s purely academic.
The usual thanks are due to Jane, Alan and Linz for help at the start and finish, and to Tim for braving the elements on Hartside. Also to Ken for usually being there. Races can’t happen without these people.
Just for the record this race was also run on the original date in May but only three brave heroes turned up on a very stormy night. If it hadn’t been for Ken Ledward already being in place in his bivvi bag on the top we may have cancelled, but those heroes had a great run, and we decided to do it all over again. Top marks for Shaun Hardisty for doing the double.
It appears to have been a bit of a disjointed or disrupted local mid-week calendar this year, with Coledale and Tebay both moving to Saturdays to be Championship races, and no Fellside either?
Roll on 2010 – it will be interesting to see how the calendar pans out.
1 Mike Robinson Dark Peak 53.56
2 Steve Birkinshaw Borrowdale 54.09
3 Mark Denham-smith Keswick 57.22
4 Anthony Lambram Eden Runners 57.31
5 Steve Bennett Eden Runners 57.46
6 Craig Smith Keswick 58.47
7 Ian Davies Keswick 60.11
8 Stephen Hartley Eden Runners 61.08
9 David Owens Keswick 61.18
10 Robin Gillespie Eden Runners 63.05
11 Chris Harling u/a 63.27
12 Gary Johnson u/a 64.65
13 Richard Unwin Keswick 68.09
14 P W Bailey u/a 68.41
15 Briony Curtis Edinburgh H+H 68.42`
16 Shaun Hardisty Eden Runners 69.03
17 Terry Nichol u/a 74.23
18 Simon Veitch u/a 76.29
19 Jane Davies Borrowdale 79.27
20 Liz Cowell Borrowdale 79.29
Joe Faulkner - www.nav4.co.uk
Thursday, 11 June 2009
The Heb - format and logistics
If you've been following the thread on sleepmonsters.com regarding The Heb and the merits of Solo v. Pairs, and the supported v. self supported issues then this may interest you further.
Two other issues which effect the planning, directing and delivery of The Heb is the number of categories of 'teams', and the disciplines they undertake, and the vehicles and hence costs incurred.
If we go we with the idea of re-instigating the Solo race, I'd like to propose three distinct categories, with clearly defined disciplines;
Solo - The Ultimate UK Solo Race - Run/cycle/swim/kayak/MTB - self supporting requiring car and support driver. Relatively straight forward route choice. An amazing experience for you and your best mate.
Teams of Five - The Ultimate UK Team Race - Run/cycle/swim/kayak/MTB - self supporting requiring a minibus/people carrier. A relay race with the team managing some more complex route choice and logistics, as per The Heb original format. Cost of vehicle hire is justifiable amongst team; roof rack and carrying capacity necessary for all teams equipment.
Trios - Teams of Three - Run/Cycle/MTB/Swim - Three mates in a car, one roof rack, two/three bikes. A good intro to Heb Racing or a good way to return and have a cheap cost effective blast along the islands. No vehicle hire costs, good mpg, easy travel logistics to and from the Outer Hebrides. (No kayaking - the extra specialist skill and qualification isn't needed and you won't have space on your vehicle!)
There you have it ..... ! What do you think.
Joe
Two other issues which effect the planning, directing and delivery of The Heb is the number of categories of 'teams', and the disciplines they undertake, and the vehicles and hence costs incurred.
If we go we with the idea of re-instigating the Solo race, I'd like to propose three distinct categories, with clearly defined disciplines;
Solo - The Ultimate UK Solo Race - Run/cycle/swim/kayak/MTB - self supporting requiring car and support driver. Relatively straight forward route choice. An amazing experience for you and your best mate.
Teams of Five - The Ultimate UK Team Race - Run/cycle/swim/kayak/MTB - self supporting requiring a minibus/people carrier. A relay race with the team managing some more complex route choice and logistics, as per The Heb original format. Cost of vehicle hire is justifiable amongst team; roof rack and carrying capacity necessary for all teams equipment.
Trios - Teams of Three - Run/Cycle/MTB/Swim - Three mates in a car, one roof rack, two/three bikes. A good intro to Heb Racing or a good way to return and have a cheap cost effective blast along the islands. No vehicle hire costs, good mpg, easy travel logistics to and from the Outer Hebrides. (No kayaking - the extra specialist skill and qualification isn't needed and you won't have space on your vehicle!)
There you have it ..... ! What do you think.
Joe
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
Victory
Hello,
Victory is a funny word. Old fashioned and somewhat aggressive.
I came across this quote today;
'Victory doesn't always come to the swift but to those who keep going'
It's very appropriate for Andy Mitchell's gallant completion of the Bob Graham Round. I was in Wasdale last weekend witnessing the majority of BG contenders retire defeated by very unsavoury winter weather on the high fells of Sca Fell. Andy continued and achieved a remarkable victory. See his blog here for detail http://andyM0000.blogspot.com
Well Done Andy. It is especially poignant when far too many assume such challenges are there to be raced and rightfully deserved without good reason.
Joe
Victory is a funny word. Old fashioned and somewhat aggressive.
I came across this quote today;
'Victory doesn't always come to the swift but to those who keep going'
It's very appropriate for Andy Mitchell's gallant completion of the Bob Graham Round. I was in Wasdale last weekend witnessing the majority of BG contenders retire defeated by very unsavoury winter weather on the high fells of Sca Fell. Andy continued and achieved a remarkable victory. See his blog here for detail http://andyM0000.blogspot.com
Well Done Andy. It is especially poignant when far too many assume such challenges are there to be raced and rightfully deserved without good reason.
Joe
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