Overview
It was the first time we have used this course- a big thank you to Race Director Colin Kirk Potter and a stunning team of marshals #rememberitsafellrace . The course was set on yet another stunning Dartmoor evening so not much navigation tested just amazing scenery. Great addition to the series with a very swift presentation as a cloud of midges descended on everyone.
The course
A narrow path with 7 , ‘one person’ wide bridges in the first 400 yrs made for an interesting start – that said no reported ‘offs’ or elbow incidents. The course rises quite quickly though Braddon Lake to Braddon tor at 500m height ASL. A ridge of 3 tors followed before the Powder Mills farm.
A short little dip through the site brought you back to the last mile of open moor before the final mile of mostly level forest track took you back for a swift finish.
The Race
An early pack was naturally spread out with 7 runners clearly in contention. The course although reasonably steep was always runnable and some fine sheep trods made for quick descents. The descent from Longaford tor through to powder mills farm – yes the home of the ‘Hairy hands legend!’- was remarked on by may runners as being ‘fab’ with the gradient behind you and just enough granite boulders meant you needed to keep your wits about you for a fast descent. Clear gaps in the front pack with the eventual winner a minute clear from his chaser before the fast mile of forest track.
- 1st (again) Ceri Rees Wild running 43:55 – strong running again
- 2nd Oliver Oldfield Tamar Trotters 45:00
- 3rd Oliver Mitchell 45:17
- First lady Elizabeth Dyson Haldon Runners 50:54 – Awesome
- 2nd Lady ( &V50) Sharon Daw Run Venture
- 3rd Lacy (&V60) Jenny Nash Run Venture
- 1st team Mens’ Okehampton Running Club
- 1st Team Ladies Run Venture
- Total of 98 finishers well done all
Great running again from Ceri Rees taking another victory, and great to see a new face from Tamar Trotters take second.
A personal view from Perran Trail runner Toby Lowe
A superb new course, part of the Dartmoor Fell Race Series, featuring a lovely 1 and a half mile climb up onto the moor, before a superb section linking three tors together before dropping down into Bellever forest and the finish. My legs were still feeling it a bit from The Plague 100k a week and a half ago, but happy with the way that I ran and 21st overall | 2nd in Age Cat. Best bit was the power up High 5 from Zach near the start. The Dartmoor Fell Race Series is delivering some superb races. It would be great to see more of the Cornish running community attending them – I can confirm that you’ll get a warm welcome from our brethren across the border. It’s good, hard, honest racing 
Thanks for the support Toby and the ‘Kernow’ crew.
Did not expect that moment…
Check out this link to a great short video clip https://www.facebook.com/groups/76407478001/user/532460206/ of one runner caught between 2 herds of cows – that had temporarily joined in the race – very calm under pressure- well done Joe Lane ORC and Rebecca McWass for catching the moment.