A good start to this year's fell challenge. After a good turnout last year, Matt included Wray Caton Moor again this year. We just couldn't miss this race! The Scarecrow festival lends an air of surrealism to Wray, especially on a sublime still evening. After a short warm up loop of the race start and finish - the parts of the course you most benefit from knowing in advance, we lined up for a brief welcome and starters orders. A stiff little climb out of the village on tarmac cheered on by the locals and we were soon on a long grassy ascent through fields, drier than last year and fast going too. Once on the moor proper (aid station available but skipped by most), the tussocky and mossy moor begins to sap those pent up energies. A long climb to the half way point - the summit of the moor, then a long and very fast descent parallel to the route out. Mind the ditch! Then the fast track before the last few fields begin to undulate and drop steeply into a wood above the stream. Right, left, right over the stile into the finish field and a welcome glug of water to slake the thirst.

Fourteen from Newburgh made the journey to Wray and we weren't disappointed. The large marquee with burgers and beer was welcome too. Some good individual performances with competitive runs from Mike, Peter returning from injury, and Jamie all leading the charge home. Wally with a fast time just pipping the incredible Jim Maxfield to the line. Jamie, Fred and Jim all won category prizes - well done!

Jamie's two races at a class pace for age gives him the edge in the overall standings. Mike's pace and consistency over two races gives another high age graded score, with Fred and Dave Ralphs being a closely run contest for third. Peter, Ollie, Kathy and Matt were all well above their handicap from last year! Everyone had a great run out on a fast course.

Matt Cochrane leads the handicap table after race #2.

A classic fell race with tough terrain and a fast course record set by Colin Donnelly in 1989. This year's winner, Dom Leckie from Todmorden, was the only runner to duck inside six minutes over the record time!

Mike Smith, Peter Fishwick and Jamie Munro were first three of fourteen Nomads home. Jim, Jamie and Mike scored best on age grade.

Even with the leader not being close to the record, Dom was far enough ahead to make it a lower scoring race this week for almost everyone. That is with the exception of Andy Quickfall who put in a storming run, particularly on the tussocky downhill dash.

Andy also did well against handicap, followed by Mike, Matt and Anil. Matt still leads the handicap table after race #3, but it's not an unassailable lead!

Jamie currently leads the league after three races with Mike and Fred completing the top three.

From the chatter afterwards it seemed everyone enjoyed the race. Great to see Daryl Mullen out for his first race of the series too! Well done all for a great turnout.

Great to be back at the Calf's Head Worston for Clayton's Mearley Clough race, which is always well attended by Newburgh Nomads (and Tom from Billinge).

Lining up at the start, some were caught out of position on the word "Go!" The race was off! Jamie and Peter worked their way through the field along the short road section to chase Chris Banks, who after a good early season was joining the mid-week madness for the first time. Matt Robinson ran strongly through the fields and farm, but found the going tough on the ascent, grinding slowly with Chris U on the steep climb. Ollie had them both in his sights with a strong effort to stay in touch, closely followed by Jim and Wally (racing again after a few weeks away). Fred, as usual, performed well on the climb, overtaking Andy Q and John, but Andy stepped on the gas for the fast descent, relishing the steep mossy stuff more than John. The final field was scene to a few late race battles; Chris B overhauled Peter F, Ollie having been passed late by stealthy Jim and with Wally closing too, gave it everything and triumphed! John passed Andy Q, but couldn't quite beat Fred who held on to the lead of that three-way tussle. Dave Ralphs, always one for a battle in previous years, concluded it wasn't worth the pain and just enjoyed the craic instead. It was agreed that a sympton of racing properly on the steep fellside was when legs felt ready to buckle in the fields below. That's the Mearley way!

Chris B won 1st V40, Jim and Fred both won V70 prizes. Ollie, Matt R and Fred all came away with spot prizes too. Lucky lads!

Jamie currently leads the league after four races, and considering he had run 80 miles across Isle of Skye last weekend, he deserves to be there for all the effort and training put in. Well done Jamie!

Ollie was best against handicap, followed by Andy Q. Both very much enjoying their racing this season.

Entries were on SiEntries for this race, so registration was quick and easy. The weather was a little blustery and had been raining earlier in the day. No chance of being eaten by midges tonight. The usual pre-race nerves were calmed by plenty of warm up running, adjusting laces and faffing with pins and bib numbers. However, the wall of Parlick hillside that rears up almost from the start line means nobody can really take their mind off what's to come.

On the shout of "Go!" we all did as instructed at varying pace up the tarmac. Peter, not having learned from Mearley Clough, relied on some deft weaving catch Jamie and keep Chris B in his sights. Chris U couldn't keep pace with Matt R on the ascent and was left trailing until the very end. Wally and Dave and climbing specialist Fred ground it out on the climb too, snatching chances to run the flats and power walk the steep rises. Richard takes it all in his stride as usual. At first the wind was no problem, but tuning left through the fence and heading NW to the pole, the wind buffetted and made for hard work. After the pole, Jamie led a ragged bunch back over the rocks and looked strong, though Chris and Pete were well ahead.

Picking the best line was an art form for the next 10 minutes, threading between tracks and rocks and soft grassy ruts while trying to catch or get away, then once again returning to Parlick for the dreaded final uphill push. Brian was there to cheer us on, though not much breath left from any of us to say thanks. Gasping for air and having been super cooled by the westerly wind and a brief cloud burst, left only the last descent to go. Chris B left Peter with some ace descending saying it didn't feel as steep as last time, Jamie reckons he's starting to enjoy these short fell runs, Chris U finally caught Matt R in a leg thrashing rush for the line. Wally had another good run followed by Dave Ralphs who said it's not worth running unless it hurts. Andy Q just loves it all again, and Matt C looked like he might be loving it in a parallel universe - he put in a good shift and looked smooth on the descent. Chris B won 1st V40, Fred won 1st V70. Prizegiving was at Fell Foot, which was unusual, but done quickly so we could all disperse and get warm. A slick operation from Preston Harriers.

Jamie, Fred and Peter lead the league having completed all five races so far. Matt Robinson scored best against his handicap, so improving each race. It's getting quite close in some sections of the league with Chris U, Dave and Andy Q within spitting distance of each other, Ollie and Matt R both running well are neck and neck.

With storms brewing to the west, would the runners escape the heat and the rain up on Two Lads? A large turnout of 200 entrants for this popular runnable course meant there was likely some fast times near the head of the field. Mike Smith put in an excellent run coming 16th and first V40. Well done!

Overall the fell challenge scores weren't the highest we've had, and comparable to Blackstone Edge, though some did better on this runnable course.

Fred becomes the league leader - the only ever-present at this stage in 2025 and first to reach 6 counters. This also means Fred has highest handicap place too, closely followed by Ollie and Peter. There are 4 competitors on 5 counters, so expect changes in positions and a scrappy battle for places to kick off properly at Moleside next week.

Well done all who took on Two Lads!