LRGS beaten by a whisker at fell running championships

Published on isbi School News dated Tuesday 9th of November 2010

Lancaster Royal Grammar School runners Adam Bateson, Callum Mason and John Ockenden all finished in the top 10 at the 2010 English Schools Fell Running Championship held at Sedbergh School recently. They performed well over the 4.5 mile course, with 1300 feet of ascent, but were narrowly beaten to the first school prize by Ermysted's Grammar School, Skipton.

All three runners set off at a great pace, with Adam establishing himself in the chasing group initially and the others not far behind. Once the real climbing started, Adam's stamina kicked in and he pulled away reaching the summit in fifth place. Behind him, John and Callum swapped places repeatedly, spurring each other on. The descent was ferociously steep, but fortunately dry and all three had to work hard to defend their positions. Their final placings - Adam 6th, Callum 8th and John 9th - all within 40 seconds of each other, was a fantastic achievement at this national level.