Calder Valley Fell Runners take on several massive challenges

THE CALDER Valley’s finest fell runners have seized the opportunity to get out of the region and take on some epic challenges.

Last Friday saw three CV vet women - Stella Chrisanthou, Di Wright and Gill Dickson - complete the Abraham’s Tea Round, which starts at George Fisher in Keswick as a 12,000ft, 30 mile loop of all the peaks that can be seen from the window of Abraham’s Tea room.

Stella said: “We were making good progress when we dropped down from Robinson into Buttermere

but that all changed on the next leg! High Stile and the kamikaze Red Pike scree ski to Buttermere village put us back somewhat.

“By then it was already 4pm and we were only halfway round! So we denied ourselves a brew and picked up the pace.

“A long slog, but easy terrain, got us up Whiteless Pike in good time. Great runnable terrain from here until we realised a vertical cliff was apparently the route up to Eel crag, the next obligatory peak on the round. Being fun fell runners, this didn’t look much fun! So, we took a long way round which stillended up a near vertical scree-fest. Having ticked that one off we easily jogged the beautiful ridge over Sail to Causey Pike.

“Then from Rowling End, another down and straight up to Barrow, the final peak and a lovely easy descent to Braithwaite heralded the last enjoyable part of the route. Dusk and a slog along the main road eventually brought us to Keswick for last orders and chips.”

The girls deliberately slowed their pace to coincide their finish with the send-off of club mate, and fell running legend Dougie Zinis, who was attempting the pinnacle of challenges – the double Bob Graham Round.

Di said: “We offered to pace Dougie after we had finished our chips, but as he was on a tight schedule, he politely declined. Sadly during his second night out on the Fells, within his scheduled target, Dougie tore his quad and had to retire. He had completed 31 peaks (15 of them twice), 31,500 ft of climb and c. 65 miles. He will of course be back for round two.

On the East Coast, another local legend, Kevin Hoult, displayed his elite ultra running skills taking on the epic Cleveland Way.

Kevin said: “The weather warmed up during the day as the route then followed the coast from Saltburn to Filey visiting picturesque villages and resorts along the way. I had to work hard at the end to finish the 109 mile route in under 24hrs and was very happy to get to the end marker stone in 23hrs and 40mins.”