Athletics & Running Sports Section

British Police Fell Race 2008

Mungrisdale - Cumbria - 13 May 2008

Race Report

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2008 British Police Fell Race. We were blessed with fine sunny weather and great Cumbrian hospitality and I am sure everyone enjoyed the day. Special thanks to everyone who assisted with course preparation, marshalling, time-keeping and registration. Without their support the event would not be possible.

There were a total of 66 entries representing 16 UK police forces. On the day we had 53 starters and everyone completed the nine mile course in just over two hours.

The first man home was veteran 45 - Malcolm Fowler from Cheshire winning the event yet again in a time of 1.10.52. A minute behind was Derbyshire' Karl Webster followed a few minutes later by Andy Beaty - 1st veteran 50 from Cumbria.

Stuart Dinwoodie - Wiltshire and Craig Smith - Cumbria took the Veteran 40 winner and runner-up positions. Billy Heaton - Cheshire - was awarded 3rd male open. Andy Parker - Staffordshire - took the first veteran 60 position.

There were only five ladies competing on the day and Christine Howard was first home - fifth overall. Kendra White from Cleveland was the 2nd lady home - 14th overall with Helen Mavin - Cumbria in third place - 37th overall.

Cheshire had three runners in the top ten winning the team race. Derbyshire and Cumbria were separated by just one point to gain 2nd and 3rd team respectively.

All 53 runners finished without any significant injury or event though a small number of runners took a wrong route choice off Souter Fell perhaps adding a minute or so to their times.

Lancashire Team

Lancashire turned out a strong team but were unable to clinch a prize placing in the team event as on previous years. They were 4th team overall with Mike Riley (Central) holding a strong position placed 8th individual overall and Dennis Nelson (Western) placed 13th overall. Vet 50 + Paul Johnson (Central) was third counter in 20th position overall.

Engraved glass bowls, tankards and goblets were presented to the above named position holders at a gathering in the Mill Inn at Mungrisdale. A hot meal was also provided to all competitors and supporters.

Finally, may I extend my thanks to Ian Campbell for all his hard work with organising the British Police Fell Race during the past 17 years and wish him all the very best for the future. I hope to continue in Ian’s footsteps and organise this annual police fell race with the same enthusiasm for some years to come.

SC Steve Broadbent

Police Sport UK Committee

Lancashire team - L to R - Dennis Nelson, Dave Croll, Vini De Curtis,

Paul Johnson, Jon Shaw (Summit marshall) and Mike Riley

Individual Results

A total of 66 entries were received representing 16 UK police forces. On the day, 53 runners took part.