It’s 2 weeks since the last race of our Winter Series and now it’s time to reflect on our most successful series ever.
As always, the weather provided us with memorable events:
- Two Riggs back in November in freezing rain/hail
- Stybarrow Dodd in December in snow and gale force winds
- S.O.B. in January – again, freezing rain
- Clough Head – gale force winds
- Loopy Latrigg – actually this was relatively nice weather!!!
We only had to shorten one course (Clough Head) but the rest of the races were full routes and this was down to our amazing marshal team who insisted on trekking to the high summits for each race – we are sincerely grateful to them all and their dogs!
The racing was always inspiring to watch, and we were impressed to see so many new faces, particularly in the men’s races. Each of the 5 races was won by a different runner and different club:
- Dan Haworth – Matlock AC
- Finlay Grant – Buxton AC
- Ben Sharrock – Ambleside AC
- Mark Lamb – Keswick AC
- Tim Lamont – Helm Hill Runners
Congratulations to Mark Lamb of Keswick AC for being our overall Male Series Winner
Whereas the women’s championship had a different story:
- Scout Adkin – Ambleside AC
- Vic Wilkinson – Bingley Harriers
- Vic Wilkinson
- Scout Adkin
- Scout Adkin
Congratulations to Scout Adkin of Ambleside AC for being our overall Female Series Winner for the second year running.
The U23 categories were also great to watch – 16-year-old Sophie Rylance from Ambleside AC dominating the FU23 category and slightly older Harry Bolton from Keswick AC coming out on top of the male U23.
The MV40 men’s category had the most exciting finish with Stephen Pearce from Eden Runners and Rowan Wood from Helm Hill Runners both entering the last event on equal points. Stephen won in the end but I’m sure Rowan will be returning to fight for the V40 crown in our Summer Series!
The women’s FV40 category was a different story. Vic Wilkinson won 3 events but didn’t complete the series which led to Natalie Hawkrigg (who had completed every series race and always been in the top 4 FV40’s) gaining the title.
Mike Robinson (Dark Peak Fell Runners) proved that consistency pays off by winning the MV50 series prize and Phil Pearson (Northern Fell Runners) narrowly beat Roger Laycock (Settle Harriers) by 2 points in the MV60 category.
Special kudos must be given to Jim Downie – MV70 – Keswick AC, Sara Hodgson – FV50 – Keswick AC, Jane Meeks – FV60 – Borrowdale FR and Wendy Dodds – FV70 – Dallam who all totally dominated their categories and won every race – nobody else got anywhere near them so massive congratulations.
It is not easy putting races on at the best of times, but throw in ever-changing COVID regulations and marginal weather conditions and the job gets even more challenging so massive thanks to you all for coming along, racing with a smile on your faces and always being super appreciative to our marshals and event team. We hope to see you all at many more races in the future.
Lou Osborn
On behalf of Kong Race Event Team
Full 2021/22 series results can be found at Sportident HERE
KONG SUMMER SERIES 2022
Enjoyed our Winter Series and want something to do for the summer? Our new Summer Series is now live and ready for entries HERE. There is a nice discount when you enter all 4 races in one go too!
The series comprises 4 brilliant races:
- The classic Buttermere Sailbeck
- A lung bursting uphill time trial up Blencathra
- The superb short BB Kong
- A new tough fell race from Threlkeld Quarry encompassing 3 summits and lots of climbing!!
More details on the series and each race can be found HERE
We are also organising a trail race in addition to the last event from Threlkeld Quarry.
