HOLMFIRTH Harrier Tom Brunt claimed a notable victory in the Kinder Trial fell race at Hayfield in the Peak District.
It’s the second time that Brunt has won the trial, which is a true test of route-planning and navigational ability as well as fitness.
Unlike at conventional ‘mass start’ fell races, Kinder Trial competitors start individually and are given only a map of the course as they set off.
Conditions were wintry on the high Kinder South plateau and there were large areas of hard snow and some treacherous icy patches.
Setting off last, Brunt completed the 12-mile course in just over two hours (2-05.05).
He finished seven minutes ahead of top Dark Peak fell runner Lloyd Taggart who, despite running on ‘home turf’, made a costly error around the final checkpoint and finished in 2-12.11.
Third place went to Simon Harding of Macclesfield Harriers in 2-28.07.
Helen Whitaker (Ilkley) was the fastest female competitor in 2-57.09 and 28th overall. Ten runners did not complete the course.
Also running for Holmfirth was Andrei Vais, a relative newcomer to this type of event. He finished solidly in 3-44.36, 78th of 120 finishers.
The testing course met with approval from all the competitors, as did the excellent post-race array of home-made soups and cakes!
