From Alison Weston…
In January 2020 the 50th Anniversary of the fell running association was celebrated by a race series being organised – FRA members to compete in as many of the 50 original FRA races within the year. Unfortunately, Covid prevented many races from being held in 2020 and the first half of 2021, so the challenge was extended to the end of 2021. I managed to complete 22 of these 50 races, finishing with the Auld Lang Syne.
A complicated league table was regularly updated by Charmain Heaton, chairman of the FRA, which calculated individual scores relative to the winner’s time, with the best 10 races to count and then 20% of any additional races. The quantity of races helped even if the quality was lacking (as in my case!)
Top of the leaderboard points wise was Darren Fisher (31 races) and first lady Katherine Klunder (23 races), both from Chorley. Wendy Dodds from Dallam running club completed the most races out of all those participating (33 races) and was 2nd female despite being aged 70. I was first vet 50 with 22 races.
I have listed the races I completed and highlighted in bold the ones I enjoyed most and would highly recommend to others.
1 Captain Cook’s 01-Jan-20 N Yorks Moors BS
2 Tigger Tor 26-Jan-20 Peak District BM
3 Ilkley Moor 01-Mar-20 Yorks Dales AS
4 Fairfield Horseshoe 22-May-21 Lake District AM
5 Ennerdale Horseshoe 12-Jun-21 Lake District AL
6 Blencathra 03-Jul-21 Lake District AM
7 Alderman’s Ascent 17-Jul-21 SW Pennines AS
8 King’s Challenge 12-Aug-21 Yorks Dales BS
9 Eldwick Gala 14-Aug-21 SW Pennines BS
10 Reston Scar Scamper 18-Aug-21 Lake District AS
11 Rivington Pike 11-Sep-21 SW Pennines BS
12 South Mynd Tour 19-Sep-21 Shropshire AL
13 Thieveley Pike 25-Sep-21 SW Pennines AS
14 Curbar Commotion 02-Oct-21 Peak District BM
15 Yorkshire Three Peaks 09-Oct-21 Yorks Dales AL
16 Hutton Roof Crags 23-Oct-21 Lake District BM
17 Black Lane Ends 30-Oct-21 Yorks Dales AS
18 Dunnerdale 13-Nov-21 Lake District AS
19 Long Tour of Pendle 20-Nov-21 SW Pennines AL
20 Cardington Cracker 05-Dec-21 Shropshire AM
21 Litton Christmas Cracker 12-Dec-21 Peak District BM
22 Auld Lang Syne 31 Dec-21 SW Pennines