Windgather Marks Series End

12 OCT2011

The Accelerate Gritstone Series came to a close at the weekend with the staging of the Windgather Fell Race. The longest event in the series at a little over 13 miles and with over 2,000 feet of ascent it also boasts the most climb. That said, none of the climbs are too severe and the moorland tracks around the Goyt Valley make for fantastic running, with stunning views as the runners climb out of the valleys. The ridge along Shining Tor marks the high point at over 550 metres and was unfortunately mist-bound this year and as the second half of the field reached the summit rain was swept in by strong winds.

On the plus side, one of the high points of this race was the finish reception, with the 'Tea Ladies' waiting at the finish armed with fresh home made soup, sarnies plus an array of cakes and buns. Just what was needed by the later finishers who were looking a little wet and bedraggled, yet still smiling.

The race was won by John Brown (Salford) in 1:36:34 and an amazing run by Olivia Walwyn Bush who finished 4th overall and first lady in a time of 1:42:27. With 215 starters the last person across the line claimed a time of 3:36:56.

Races in the Accelerate Gritstone Series are around 6 miles long and based within the Peak District National Park, mainly in the Dark Peak, gritstone areas. To qualify for the series competitors have to complete 5 of the 7 events.

Stuart Bond (Dark Peak) took the honours for the third year in a row having won four of his five events entered, with Helen Elmore (also Dark Peak) claiming her second series win.

The Series saw over a thousand fell runners pass through all of the events and entries were up by an average of 25%. The Series restarts in March 2012 at Wolf's Pit, a race over Shatton Moor. Organisers Accelerate are hoping for an extra counter for the series in 2012, which is to be confirmed in the coming months. Another addition to the Series for 2012 will be the Gritty Series, a number of short fell runs for aspiring youngsters.

Visit the website for full details on the Series. Check out the series' results here.

Accelerate's Facebook page will keep you updated with the latest news of the series as it happens including event photos.