Tebay English Champs race also known as the hottest fell run known to man!

Nearly 9 miles of undulating hills and one ridiculously steep climb at the end in 30 degree heat for us and a rapid steep race for the juniors.

Maisie-Jo, Jan, Alice, Orran and I made the trip over for the next round in the league accompanied by fellow manx fell runner Rosy Craine.

It was obvious this race would be another level of tough given the extreme heat forecast with some of the FRA kit being removed and it being mandatory to carry at least 500ml of water. They also advertised a paddling pool at the end of all the races which was a life saver!

Maisie did very well to pace herself in the baking sun to place 11th overall. She has had a great league and is the bottom of her age group at the moment. It will be exciting to see how she gets on over the summer and into next year. Well done Maisie.

Next up was the senior ladies - with it only being around 9 miles this is a category medium - we scoped out the start prior to the beginning of the race and I knew it was be a horror - a big climb out on a fire track in baking heat!

The group set off pretty fast with myself and Alice hanging off the back of the lead group. I decided I was getting too warm and my heart rate was quite high so backed off until the first descent. I made some ground back and caught up to Alice. She was slowing down as well with the heat being so oppressive it was hard to push. At the first checkpoint there was water guns and skooshers which were ace. We were informed at the start to take advantage of every stream and we all did! But soon as you dipped ure hat it was dry again.

I wasn’t running with many people which was a worry as I hadn’t had a chance to get over to recce this route. I reached the top end of the valley and scoped the map and trusted I was on the right track !

I was dreading the last climb - Blease Fell it says on the Pete Bland map - head down and suffer ! And that’s what it was - thankfully at the bottom there was a fell run angel in the stream pouring bottles of water over anyone who wanted it. Amazing.

I got to the top of blease fell painstakingly - I got overtaken but she said you’ll get me on the descent. But I got to the top and my legs were like nah… took them ages to wake back up. I did get her but only just finishing a mere 5 seconds ahead of her in 12th. I really felt yesterday how much I was lacking in confidence in pacing and route having not recced, it really is a crucial part in fell running.

Alice came back to life in the second half after feeling like she may have to DNF due to the heat still finishing within the top 20 in 18th.

Rosy came in and got straight into the paddling pool and Jan shortly followed - rosy came 16th in her age group and Jan 4th in age group. The heat really hit everyone hard and Jan was a bit wobbly on the finish line but came back to life after some cold water and a bit of rest.

The ladies race was won by Sarah Willhoit! The league in the women’s series there has been a different top 3 in each round! Exciting to see how it will finish at the end of August.

Next up was orran who you can see in the video coming in. Orran has a history of struggling in the heat and I was a bit worried that some of the valleys would be too oppressive for him - but a few days in heat and the van and some sensible pacing meant he had a strong race finishing 60th overall and 16th in age group as well. He’s starting his big block towards the Tor des Geants in September and is ready to dial in the focus! The male race was won by Finlay Grant… again! Superb running!

A great but very hot day in the fells and lots of learning in challenging conditions which really none of us are used to!

Well done team!