With the all the Striders running the Exterminator roasted alive, it’s time for an update on the 2023 Fell Race Champs, with some of the title races also hotting up!
We’ve now completed 9 of the 12 listed races (Shelf Moor on 23 Sep, Curbar Commotion on 7 Oct and Baslow Blitz on 25 Nov are the final three) and increasing numbers have now completed the magic 5 qualifying events.
Standings after the Exterminator:
Senior Women
Definitely the most exciting contest of the year. Sarah and Sian have been battling it out all season and with her fantastic win at the Exterminator, Sarah has just edged ahead by the slenderest of margins. Abbie and Caroline threatened to compete for the title early in the year, but unless they can finish highly in each of the last three events, its a head-to-head for the title, with Laura looking like a worthy third place at this stage. This one looks set to go to the wire.
| Pos | Name | Points Score | Races | Ave Points |
| 1 | Sarah Thorne | 452.79 | 5 | 90.56 |
| 2 | Sian Evans | 450.92 | 5 | 90.18 |
| 3 | Laura Rangeley | 318.20 | 5 | 63.64 |
| 4 | Ann-Marie Mulvey | 186.93 | 3 | 62.31 |
| 5 | Abbie Pearse | 184.81 | 2 | 92.40 |
| 6 | Caroline Brock | 183.69 | 2 | 91.84 |
| 7 | Gillian Allen | 164.31 | 2 | 82.16 |
| 8 | Claire Wren | 142.85 | 2 | 71.42 |
| 9 | Rachael Toon | 125.50 | 2 | 62.75 |
| 10 | Ellie Bull | 109.35 | 2 | 54.67 |
Senior Men
Not many competitors in this category in 2023, but we’ve got quite a battle. Jim has taken the lead with his fifth qualifying run at the Exterminator, but Seth is poised to regain the lead if he can finish one of the last races. Chris Brown is still in the hunt too, should he get a fifth race done.
| Pos | Name | Points Score | Races | Ave Points |
| 1 | Jim Rangeley | 358.39 | 5 | 71.68 |
| 2 | Seth Kirby | 331.60 | 4 | 82.90 |
| 3 | Chris Brown | 275.35 | 4 | 68.84 |
| 4 | Ben Jones | 83.71 | 1 | 83.71 |
V40 women
Unfortunately, there won’t be a prize winner in this category this year as nobody will manage to complete 5+ races, but the battle for first place is still wide open. Jessica Brooks still leads after her time at Totley Moor, but there is time for Rachel or Melanie (or AN Other) to take the lead before the end of the season.
| Pos | Name | Points Score | Races | Ave Points |
| 1 | Jessica Brooks | 79.99 | 1 | 79.99 |
| 2 | Rachel Rea | 56.20 | 1 | 56.20 |
| 3 | Melanie English | 48.33 | 1 | 48.33 |
V40 Men
This category is usually closely contested, but looks likely to be a head-to-head between Louis and Andrew, should both manage to get a fifth race completed. Louis has opened a gap following his category win at the Exterminator, but Andrew is close behind following a series of solid results. A number of runners who’ve done three races still have time to make a late charge too.
| Pos | Name | Points Score | Races | Ave Points |
| 1 | Louis Wood | 329.27 | 4 | 82.32 |
| 2 | Andrew Mansfield | 301.64 | 4 | 75.41 |
| 3 | Paul Middlemas | 243.74 | 3 | 81.25 |
| 4 | Jim Danson | 209.49 | 3 | 69.83 |
| 5 | Russell Stevenson | 209.48 | 3 | 69.83 |
| 6 | Dean Young | 204.96 | 3 | 68.32 |
| 7 | Matt Broadhead | 124.04 | 2 | 62.02 |
| 8 | John Kilcoyne | 80.44 | 1 | 80.44 |
| 9 | Malcolm Baggaley | 73.71 | 1 | 73.71 |
| 10 | Daniel Abbott | 71.48 | 1 | 71.48 |
V50 women
Karen Clark leads Jane Huws by a small margin, but they are the only runners in this category who could still qualify for a prize. The title race is wide open however, with Kate and Victoria ready to leapfrog to the top if they can get one or more runs on the board.
| Pos | Name | Points Score | Races | Ave Points |
| 1 | Karen Clark | 120.62 | 2 | 60.31 |
| 2 | Jane Huws | 114.71 | 2 | 57.35 |
| 3 | Kate Scott | 70.63 | 1 | 70.63 |
| 4 | Victoria Hawkins | 64.73 | 1 | 64.73 |
| 5 | Nada Ross | 55.97 | 1 | 55.97 |
| 6 | Vikki McAuley | 55.05 | 1 | 55.05 |
V50 Men
Neil and Nick crossed the line hand-in-hand at the Exterminator. Was that a tacit admission from Nick that this year’s title has gone to Neil? With a near 50 point lead it looks very likely. However, both Ian and Roger could pip Nick for the runners up spot if they get the required number of races done.
| Pos | Name | Points Score | Races | Ave Points |
| 1 | Neil Schofield | 393.20 | 5 | 78.64 |
| 2 | Nick Burns | 343.22 | 5 | 68.64 |
| 3 | Ian Stinson | 274.72 | 4 | 68.68 |
| 4 | Roger Walters | 200.75 | 3 | 66.92 |
| 5 | Tom Nuttgens | 186.94 | 3 | 62.31 |
| 6 | Paul Stuart | 138.30 | 2 | 69.15 |
| 7 | Warren Brown | 70.20 | 1 | 70.20 |
| 8 | Adam McAuley | 65.60 | 1 | 65.60 |
| 9 | Bob Hartley | 62.61 | 1 | 62.61 |
| 10 | Simon Wiles | 62.01 | 1 | 62.01 |
V60 Women
Jo Gleig leads this category with enough races to qualify. However, should Nicola get a final two runs in, she is well placed to overhaul Jo for the title. Can she do it, or will Jo hold on to the crown?
| Pos | Name | Points Score | Races | Ave Points |
| 1 | Jo Gleig | 289.00 | 5 | 57.80 |
| 2 | Nicola Rafferty | 207.66 | 3 | 69.22 |
V60 Men
It can be lonely at the top. Just ask Kevin, who (assuming he gets a final run in) will be the clear and deserving winner of the V60 prize. Was everyone else too scared to challenge him?!
| Pos | Name | Points Score | Races | Ave Points |
| 1 | Kevin Haighton | 217.64 | 4 | 54.41 |
V70 women
No runners yet in this category this year.
V70 men
Chris leads the standings after his early season performances. However, he needs to finish the last three races to take win the prize as well as the title.
| Pos | Name | Points Score | Races | Ave Points |
| 1 | Chris Reece | 96.62 | 2 | 48.31 |
Full standings for all categories on the Fell Race Champs standings spreadsheet.