Published: 22nd September 2021
11 junior athletes, competing as a combined Isle of Man Schools squad, have been supported towards their off island accommodation costs for the annual English School Fell Running Championships, set to take place this Sunday (26th) in Sedbergh on the western edge of the Yorkshire Dales.
The event has been going for 14 years, with this year being the 13th running (2020 being cancelled due to Covid).
An ever-existing challenge for local athletes, is to secure suitable accommodation when travelling on and off-island to competitive events.
Thanks to the kind coordination of the event by avid Manx Fell Runners committee member and Laserfiche Solutions Engineer – Nigel Maddocks, MBS this year have supported the qualifying competitors toward accommodation for the weekend’s event. This ensures the travelling group are accommodated together in a 12 room, 28 bed former mansion house just a mile away from the start/finish line. Having use of the accommodation after the race will be much appreciated, allowing athletes to rest and refresh before commencing their journey home.
The races start and finish at Sedbergh School, famous for producing quite a few notable sportspeople and academics.
Rupert & Julie Leaton commented:
“Were delighted to support the Island junior athletes in their first overseas competition & wish them best of luck in the races”
The Island team have a squad of 11 runners and 7 adults travelling over on Saturday 25th September with ages ranging from 12 to 16 (Yr7 to Yr12).
Nigel Maddocks, MBS Senior Engineer:
“We have often struggled to get enough in one year group to qualify as a team but the four year 10 lads look very strong on paper and should have a good chance of a podium, despite competing alongside their year 11 counterparts. Most competed as year 8’s in 2019 and were just one point off the podium, despite again being at the lower end of the age group. There should also be some very good individual performances with many in top form having competed in a busy calendar of local fixtures, which should give them an edge over their English counterparts who have only recently enjoyed a return to racing.”
There are both team and individual prizes with 4 counters being required to qualify.
The prizes will be presented by Nicky Spinks who is a bit of a fell and ultra-running legend. Nicky is due to be travelling over to the island next year for the Manx Mountain Marathon, having been entered for last years cancelled event. In 2019, Nicky was the last woman standing at the infamously extreme Barkley Marathons in the US, an event so tough only 15 men have ever finished (and nobody finished in 2019).
Good luck everyone involved!
