In 2021 the race was on 25th June. It was the first year the race had been organised by Tideswell Running Club. Due to COVID19 regulations meant that the start had to be staggered into 4 groups and only online entry was allowed. The weather was ideal for fell racing, cool and dry and 106 runners took part. All finished the race. Overall winner was Tom Spencer (Buxton AC) with a course record of 25:12! First female runner was Amy Whelan also of Buxton AC in a time of 32:11. The winning Vets (40+) were Colin Brearley (28:10 Holme Pierrepoint RC) and Claire Biercamp (33:20– Porter Valley Plodders). Vet (50+) winners were Matthew Lynas(Macclesfield Harriers – 30:21) and Jane Mello(Pennine Fell Runners – 40.05). Vet (60+) winners were Peter Wright (Hatton Dart RC 33:13) and Julie Gardiner (No Club – 37.5). Vet(70+) winner was Robert Taylor (Pennine Gell Runers 36:41)
The 2020 race sadly has had to be cancelled due to COVID-19.
In 2019 the race was on 28th June. The weather had suddenly got hotter after a spell of wet and coolish weather (the following day Saturday 29th June was a real scorcher) meaning some parts of the course were still muddy and slippy. 121 runners took part (a few short of the record breaking 129 of 2017). All but one finished the race. None of the course records were broken, but overall winner John Battrick (Keswick AC) came fairly close to 2007’s 25:40 with his 25:57 (Male 17-39). Maybe next year the record will be smashed – something to try for! First female runner in was Jo Hickman-Dunne (no club – Female 17-39)) with 30:50, and as coming from a nearby village also taking the Local Winner prize. The winning Vets (40 – 49) were Phil Winskill (28:39 – also Keswick AC) and Samantha Willis (36:48 – Buxton AC). Super Vet (50+) winners were Mark Elwis (no club – 33:31) and Manda Twentyman (no club – 36:59).(
In 2018 the race was on 29th June. It was a blistering hot day and this may have affected the turnout. There were also lots of local fell races that week. Only 80 entrants, which was a little disappointing after last year’s record breaker. All finished the race. The overall winner was Harry Holmes (Pudsea and Bramley FC) in 26:02 (Male 17-39). Still short of the course record of 25:40 but getting ever closer. First woman back was Gemma Cox (no club, 34:30). Male and Female Vet (40 – 49) winners were Paul Sorrell (Ripley) in 28:31 and Julie Darisala (Penistone FRAC) in 37:10 respectively. Male and Female Super Vets (50+) were John Morgan (Dark Peak Fell Runners) in 32:02 and Sue Charter (Horsley Shuttlers) in 41:01. Local Winner: James Stubbs (Pennine Fell Runners) from Tideswell in 32:48.
In 2018 the race was on 29th June. It was a blistering hot day and this may have affected the turnout. There were also lots of local fell races that week. Only 80 entrants, which was a little disappointing after last year’s record breaker. All finished the race. The overall winner was Harry Holmes (Pudsea and Bramley FC) in 26:02 (Male 17-39). Still short of the course record of 25:40 but getting ever closer. First woman back was Gemma Cox (no club, 34:30). Male and Female Vet (40 – 49) winners were Paul Sorrell (Ripley) in 28:31 and Julie Darisala (Penistone FRAC) in 37:10 respectively. Male and Female Super Vets (50+) were John Morgan (Dark Peak Fell Runners) in 32:02 and Sue Charter (Horsley Shuttlers) in 41:01. Local Winner: James Stubbs (Pennine Fell Runners) from Tideswell in 32:48.
In 2017 the race was on 23rd June. It was a dry evening though there had been showers earlier. It was windy and cooled down quite a lot over the evening. A couple of days earlier and it was a heatwave! 129 entered the race and all finished! This was a record for Tideswell Fell Race, previous maximum entrants had been 100 (2013 and 2011). Pleased to say the IT support kept up with the crowds. The race was won by Dan Howarth of Keswick AC (but from Fritchley, Derbyshire) in 26:05 (Male 17-39) – not a record but the fastest since 2008, and 25 seconds short of the course record (25:40). First woman back was Eleanor Lunt (Long Eaton RC) with 34:25(Female 17-39). Male and Female Veteran winners (40 – 49) were Stuart Bond (Dark Peak Fell Runners) and Caroline Lloyd (Porter Valley Plodders) at 26:15 and 38:09 respectively. Male and Female Super Vet (50+) winners came in at 31:48 (Ed Gamble, Cheshire Hill Racers) and 36:16 (Jo Bednall, Buxton). Local winner was Chris Jones from Tideswell at 28:15.
In 2016 the race was on Friday 24th June. A short time before the race there was torrential rain and heavy hail. There was also a power cut (think…data!). But then the sun came out and the runners assembled beneath a glorious rainbow. 85 entered. The race was won by Billy Cartwright (27:06) from Matlock AC (Male 17-39). First woman back was Caroline Brock (Steel City Striders) with a time of 34:56 (Female 17-39). Local Winner was Richard Hunt from Tideswell (also the local winner in 2015) at 34:08.
In 2015, although there was heavy rain a couple of hours before the start it was a pleasant evening for a run, but disappointing for those expecting the usual torrential downpours! Just over a week ago we had started to expect a sunny and hot run…now the rain has returned by the bucketful. What will we have on the 24th? Conditions may be interesting! The 2015 race was won by Luke Beresford (Ripley RC) with a time of 27:25 (Male 17-39). First woman back was Olivia Walwyn (Macclesfield Harriers) at 29:31, position 7th overall (Female 17-39). Local Winner was Richard Hunt from Tideswell 31:01 (Male 50+) overall position 14th. See results page for more details.
There are some great photos of many of the races on the Tideswell Fell Race Facebook Page with photo albums for this and previous years. The page is public so you don’t have to be on Facebook to view it.
