Bowstones Fell Race (7 miles)

New Year’s Eve 

Two years ago Bowstones was horrendously cold, driving sleight and hailstones that hurt. No fear of that in this fossil fuel/El Nino winter, although Helsby is just around the corner and that’s normally the signal for a blast from the Russian steppes. 

Storm Frank had poured all night but, whilst muddy, it was passable although the steep downhill descent was as slippery as it had been in the ice. 

This race has quickly grown in popularity as has the Wilmslow participation. I shared a view down the canal basking in the winter sunshine but that was the last I saw of Andrew. Janine and Huma are regulars here and Louisa tends to save her performance of the year for this course, she was unsure whether she matched last year’s time. Don, also a regular, brought Louise. 

I saw Chris and Patrick but only in the early stages, unusually, I was behind Carolyn but leading Gail . Gail went ahead by diving through the dog-hole instead of queuing for the stile, I was frightened I might get stuck but followed and would not have worried had I known that Chris had already made it, although that, apparently, was a tight squeeze. Bernard’s centre of gravity is a bit high for this course in these conditions, he ran well enough given his mishap. Carolyn I caught as we got to the top and was confident I could hold her off on the descent. 

Probably not quite muddy enough for Trevor. Jan was getting her retaliation in first in anticipation of a challenging night ahead. Belinda was making her first outing as Wilmslow Handicap champion. 

Unbelievable the sun shone throughout, a beautiful winter’s morning if a bit soggy underfoot. Urged-on by Roy’s support, Chris got under his 2014 time and Carolyn took a whole chunk off hers, I managed a minute.

I think Janine, Louisa and Huma had all departed before it was discovered they were the winning ladies team.