The second English Championship fell race, which was also part of the British fell racing championship (and the first race in that series), took place on Saturday 14th April in the lake district from Braithwaite Lodge, near Keswick.
Visibility was excellent but the conditions were tough, with a bitterly cold northerly wind and some sleet showers across the high tops. The race itself has fast become a classic and moved from its normal midweek slot to cope with the greater numbers this year. The race has a bit of everything, not least a huge climb of almost 2,000 feet to start off up to the first checkpoint on Grisedale Pike.

There is then a long drop to Coledale Hause and a steep climb up the north ridge onto Eel Crags, the highest point of the route at 2,749 feet.  Care is then needed on the rocky descent to Sail, where the wind was buffeting the runners and there is a long sweeping descent on paths down from Stonycroft Gill to the last top of Barrow.
In her first longer lakes race, Nichola Jackson, the youngest female taking part, had a very strong run in the womens race for 28th in 1:37.57.  Nichola was 1st U23 in the English Championship race, adding to her 2nd at Lads Leap in March.
In the mens race John Rainford was 167th in 1:30.40 and Mick McLaughlin finished in 1:46.22.  Vet 70, George Arnold, had a good run in 2:40.12.