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 Greeba Fell Race

9 miles

2,500 feet of ascent

Category A (medium)

Starts Cronk Dhoo Farm

31 January 2004

Sponsored by Ken Watterson

 

BRIAN OSBOURNE WINS KEN WATTERSON GREEBA FELL RACE

To see all of Steve Partington's pictures click here

Brian Osbourne on his way to victory through the mist (Steve Partington)

1

Brian Osborne

V 40

1.24.20

2

Ian Gale

V 40

1.24.33

3

Tony Okell

V 40

1.25.12

4

Mike Quine

S

1.31.20

5

Simon Skillicorn

S

1.31.34

6

Dave Young

V 50

1.31.54

7

Phil Mackie

S

1.33.59

8

Rob Webb

V 50

1.40.15

9

Dave Corrin

V 50

1.40.17

10

Cal Partington

L

1.40.28

11

Mark Preston

S

1.41.39

12

Alan Corran

V 40

1.45.03

13

Andy Page

S

1.48.43

14

Paul Trees

V 40

1.49.13

15

Andy Gosland

S

1.49.20

16

Rose Hooton

L

1.49.34

17

Ian Callister

V 50

1.49.53

18

David Gelling

S

1.50.55

19

Ken Watterson

V 50

1.50.58

20

Paul Jackson

S

1.51.16

21

Stuart Temple

V 40

1.54.31

22

Alan Bagley

V 40

1.56.43

23

Christine Barwell

L

1.57.31

24

Tony Rowley

V 40

2.04.10

25

Bridget Kaneen

L

2.05.30

26

Michael George

S

2.06.25

27

Robbie Callister

V 60

2.06.57

28

Richie Stevenson

V 50

2.10.57

29

Phil Kenney

V 40

2.11.54

30

Andy Gosnell

V 40

2.12.40

31

John Brewis

V 50

2.15.18

32

Shirley Foley

L

2.15.18

33

Peter Cooper

V 50

2.18.13

34

Dave Davies

V 40

2.28.47

35

Laurence Dyer

S

2.34.17

36

Peter Quine

V 40

2.35.45

37

Dave Quine

V 40

2.35.48

38

Gareth Evans

V 40

2.36.37

39

Kevin Martin

V 40

2.36.37

40

Alan Pilling

V 50

3.11.55

PICTURES BY STEVE PARTINGTON

The reverse of the final positions (or last year's positions), Tony Okell leads Ian Gale and Brian Osbourne.

Cal Partington was the first woman (again).

Phil Mackie splashes his way to 7th position.

 

RICHIE STEVENSON REPORTS

 

The race on Saturday afternoon was an absolute stonker with the top three finishers separated by just 42 seconds after 9 miles of ultra tough racing in quite appalling conditions. The heavy rain that had poured down all morning finally relented by the time the early starters set off at 1.00pm and the dense mist that had been as low as the Peel Road a few hours earlier had lifted considerably. Nevertheless the record field of 40 runners had to contend with very wet conditions underfoot, strong winds that blew head-on over the final miles, really thick mist especially on the Creg and Colden section and very heavy rain showers that really did give everyone a good soaking. The sheep tracks that form a large part of this course were like rivers making it extremely slippery, just about every runner had at least one fall on the way round. 

Given these dreadful conditions it is amazing that we had a race of such quality with nearly all our top runners out having a real go at each other. From what the lads told me after the race a group formed at the front consisting of Tony Okell, Ian Gale and Brian Osbourne closely followed by Mark Preston. Unfortunately Pressie made a bit of a hash of the descent of Colden and his chance was gone. The leaders came past me ( I had started in the early group ) on the slopes of Slieu Ruy where Tony had opened a lead of about 100 yards followed by Onion and then a similar gap to Ozzie. I was really impressed with the way they were all absolutely steaming along, splashing through the water as if it wasn`t there and they all looked more than comfortable. Either the Onion increased his pace, Tony slowed a bit, or more likely a mixture of both saw a new leader heading to the final checkpoint on Greeba. Onion arrived first , took a glance back and reckoned he had a lead that was sufficient to get him back to Cronk Dhoo first and then sped away from the rain swept summit. As has happened in so many fell races over the years where mist has to be contended with the race was suddenly turned on its head. Onion veered to the left and ended up in thick gorse. By the time he had corrected his mistake not only was Tony ahead but Ozzie, who was finishing at a blistering pace, had got past too. Ozzie sensed the win was his and he went for it good style arriving back at the finish 13 seconds ahead of Onion who had managed to retake runner-up place. Tony took third place in his first race for quite a while so he must be fairly satisfied with his performance.

There was another titanic battle for fourth place that was eventually taken by Mike Quine, undoubtedly his best performance yet in his short running career. He just got the better of Simon Skillicorn and the amazing David Young, just 34 seconds separating them at the finish.

Another runner who performed remarkably well was first female Cal Partington who actually finished 10th overall. Rose Hooton as usual turned in another top effort, as did Christine Barwell and how nice to Bridget Kaneen and Shirley Foley running so well. 

Unfortunately it would be impossible to give a mention to everyone who deserves one after such a tough race. Needless to say everyone who finished, and everyone did, should be well satisfied with themselves. At one time there were bodies flying around in all directions on Colden but everyone stuck to it and completed the course.

Many thanks to Ken Watterson for sponsoring the race and to all the officials who helped on the day especially Brenda, Bruce and family for checking us through at Cronk Breck. Also many thanks to Helen Kermode at Glen Dhoo Farm for the use of the excellent shower facillities that were greatly appreciated by all the runners.

Finally thanks and well done to all the competitors for such a fantastic race with a record entry. Its such a pity that even though most sports were cancelled due to the weather there were no representatives from any of the media to record the achievements of  top quality sports people. 

 

All smiles for Brian Osbourne at Greeba (ML)

 

 

 

Previous winners

1990

Robbie Callister 

01:19:21

 

Steph Quirk    

01:31:03

1991

Alan Gage  

01:17:15

 

 

 

1992

David Young

01:19:31

 

 

 

1993

Tony Rowley

01:17:54

 

 

 

1994

Tony Rowley

01:14:36

 

Steph Maddrell

01:40:54

1995

Mark Fleming

01:12:48

Kendal

Brenda Walker

01:29:26

1996

Mark Fleming

01:10:26

Record

Brenda Walker

01:22:32

1997

Tony Rowley

01:17:56

 

Brenda Walker

01:23:05

1998

Keith Callister

01:18:51

 

Rose Hooton

01:41:31

1999

Tony Rowley

01:13:17

 

Rose Hooton

01:39:17

2000

Tony Okell

01:20:47

 

 

 

2001

Tony Okell

01:14:23

 

 

 

2002

Tony Okell

 

 

 Rose Hooton

 

2003

Brian Osbourne

01:24:20

 

 Cal Partington

 01:40:28

 


copyright (c) 2004 Murray Lambden. All rights reserved.
[email protected]

 

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