David Staff Memorial Fell Race (Darwen) 29/11/09. 5miles 1200 ft
The start of this race changed a couple of years ago, after floods washed away the path around the top of Sunnyhurst woods in Darwen. What used to be a short but steep scramble out of the woods, is now less steep but much faster, allowing Ben Fish ( Blackburn Harriers ) to establish an early lead and run out a convincing winner in a fast time of 31:45.
Underfoot conditions were slippy sloppy after recent heavy rain but didn’t deter the 7 RMI runners who had made the short journey over to Darwen.
Graham Schofield was first counter in 11th place ( 2nd V50) in 36:50, then, Paul Boardman 27th 40:06, Albert Sunter 33rd 41:21, Tony Varley 60th (2nd V60) 45:35, Bethan Faulkner 71st ( 2nd jnr ) 47:05, Mark Collier 107th 51:41 and Mark Sammon 120th 53:55.
Worth mentioning, that I had to bust a gut to beat one Ray Owen, who has made a recent return to racing after a long absence. Ray was a member of Horwich many moons ago when, amongst his other victories, he won the first Winter Hill Fell Race in 1983
Graham Schofield.