The 2025 British Individual Champs took place at Grizedale Forest on Saturday, followed by the Relay Champs on Sunday at Bigland, both in South Lakes.
Individual Race at Grizedale
Twenty-two Club members took part – from ages 14 to 75 – and all found the terrain very tough, with some runners out for over 2 hours. The dry weather meant that some of the marshes had dried out at Grizedale, so we had to look out for flat areas of mud sprouting iris and king-cups. Other bogs and tarns were still wet, many people taking a paddle, and Nicky an accidental swim!
The Start was a 2.5km walk from the Assembly field, and near to Grizedale Tarn (not Grisedale Tarn on Seat Sandal), with great views and some fox sculptures thrown in. DVO’s bronze medalist on the W75 Long course, Judith Holt, said that chatting to an acquaintance on this long walk helped to calm her nerves.
Judith was our only medalist, but in the M40 Long class, Andrew Powell came close, being announced in 3rd place when he crossed the line, but with faster finishers nudging him into 5th. Sally Calland also finished 5th in W50 Long. In W21 Elite, Rachel Duckworth placed a creditable 9th on the 9.8km course, with ex-member Elizabeth Bedwell finishing 3rd on W21 Long.
It was great to challenge ourselves on A1 terrain, and many of us did indeed have “a tough day at the office”. Great to debrief with club mates and catch up with old friends from around the country!
Wendy Carlyle (Airienteers) took some great shots.
Relay write-up to follow!
