Helvellyn and the Dodds

Newcastle AC’s, Mark King along with Ricky Hanna, David Bell & Clarke Browne (all Mourne Runners) travelled to Keswick on Saturday 28th May, to take part in one of the Lake District’s classic fell races – “Helvellyn and the Dodds”.

Newcastle AC’s Mark King along with the Mourne Runners trio of Ricky Hanna, David Bell & Clarke Browne before the start of the race

The race starts at the stunning grounds of Keswick Cricket Club. This location is significant in so far as it marks the end of Leg 1 & start of Leg 2 of the “Bob Graham Round”. The race includes several of the BGR peaks and has an official distance of 14.9 miles & 4,386ft of elevation over an out & back course.

This years edition had 135 competitors and with firm, dry ground, low wind and great visibility it had all the components for a great days racing.

After a fast half mile start along a narrow tarmac road the course enters the initial climb to the summit of “Clough Head”. This climb covers almost 2,000 ft and was a shock to the system! From there the race is over a well-defined grassy track – picking off “Little Dodd” & “Great Dodd” along the way. This is relatively flat & fast section of the course and whilst navigating the criss-cross of ramblers tracks would be difficult on a misty day there was no such problem – blue skies made “following the leader” easy.

The Northern Ireland quartet were going well (each at their own speed) and ascended to the checkpoint on “Raise” before heading over to the technical climb onto “Lower Man” followed by a short but sharp climb to the half-way point – the summit of “Helvellyn”. At 3,118ft it is the third highest mountain in England and a mecca for walkers & fell-runners alike and given the perfect weather there were plenty of each at the top.

Being an “out & back” course meant re-tracing ones steps back to the Cricket Club, however the warm day & tired legs meant for a slower return journey. Indeed, the fast and runnable return section between the “Dodds” just didn’t seem so flat!

The descent from “Clough Head” was almost as painful as the ascent – it’s brutally steep and has no zig-zags to dilute the effects of toes pushing hard into the front of running shoes, however the views over the Lake District are worth the pain – it was stunning.

All four made it home safely and afterward enjoyed amazing hospitality (tea, sandwiches & buns) on the cricket club grass.

This is undoubtedly one of the great English fell-races and given that it was coupled with a perfect day it made for a most successful trip for the four local runners.

Mark King 3:44,  Ricky Hanna 3:02,  David Bell 3:37,  Clarke Browne 4:13

A well earned rest in the sunshine – job done!