Bland Sports, a photo from Cumbria, England

Photographer's Note

Here are some shots from the Borrowdale fell race, which is sponsored by the local Scafell Hotel, and takes place annually on the first Saturday in August.

Those of us from the TE community who recently met in the Lake district, drove past the starting (or was it finishing?) line in the paddock opposite the Scafell Hotel in Rosthwaite on our way to the Honister pass. When we arrived at the top of the pass, we pulled over into the car park to admire the view. Whilst the others were content to do that I took a few shots of the runners as they passed through the car park.

I have called the shot "Bland Sports" because the record time for the race is held by a man called Billy Bland (2hrs 34 mins 38 seconds) and looking at the numbers on the vests of the runners, it is sponsored by a relative, Pete Bland. There is however, nothing bland about the sport. I am too old now, but used to run a lot when I was younger and sometimes I wish I still could but then I come to my senses and say, "why?"!

The race follows the following route:

1. ROSTHWAITE (start & finish) to BESSYBOOT 2.25km/1.41miles
2. BESSYBOOT to ESK HAUSE 4.75km/2.97miles
3. ESK HAUSE to SCAFELL PIKE 2.25km/1.41miles
4. SCAFELL PIKE to GREAT GABLE 3.0km/1.88miles
5. GREAT GABLE to HONISTER PASS 3.5km/2.19miles
6. HONISTER PASS to DALE HEAD 1.75km/1.09miles
7. DALE HEAD to ROSTHWAITE 3.5km/2.19miles

FELL RACE FACTS

Straight line distance total: 21km or 13.14miles

Approximate running distance: 17miles
Approximate height of climb: 7000ft

More information can be found at:

http://www.borrowdale-fell-runners.org/index.php

Enjoy.

tyro, ikeharel, pajaran, CLODO, jhm, alvaraalto trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

tyro (30513) 2016-08-12 6:01

Hi Mike,

Whoa!! This is fabulous group of four excellent pictures of the runners who passed us by at that stop! And you have written a very interesting note about this particular race.

Cor Blimey, that's some amount of energy required to complete over 13 miles and go up and down 7,000 feet in two and a half hours! And the amazing thing is that none of these four runners looks that young - there's no-one there in their 20s - but I suppose it's the older "seasoned" athletes who have all the stamina for such long and arduous feats such as this.

Each of your images is stunningly clear and sharp and well exposed too with natural colours, a real tribute to your photographic skill and that brilliant little camera of yours. True photography à la sauvette indeed!

And to think that you got this lot while we were all idly standing chatting and gawping at the horizon. And, of course, it's quite different to your usual photographic genre of artistically designed buildings which don't tend to move or shout at you to get out of the way.

Absolutely Brilliant!

Kind Regards,

John.

P.S. This just has to go into my "favourites"!

ikeharel (105889) 2016-08-12 6:09

Yes Mike, Why running in our age - when we can simply walk, hike, stride or take an easy stroll?
Anyway, nice combined 4 pictures of those who were taken the effort and jogged.
Cheers for the timing and the outcome.
Have a nice weekend,
Ike

jemaflor (135404) 2016-08-12 9:37

Salut Michael,
Belle mise en valeur de ces courageux sportifs, de beaux portraits expressifs sur ta présentation avec ces 4 vues, c'est bien pris.

No_One (4) 2016-08-12 11:18

Hi Mike
Great set of photos and a great note that tells an interesting story. I did wonder on the title :)
Cheers
Noel

CLODO (45094) 2016-08-12 23:34

Hi Mike

Four portraits for the price of one! They are fully absorbed by they effort, they are "pro" means they carry their water to save time and are maybe veteran (over 40 years old).
Well done Mike

CLODO

emka (152182) 2016-08-13 0:14

Hello Mike,

Nice optimistic picture. These elderly guys still have the power to run and not to sit by TV and beer. Nice collage, good idea to present the pictures like this.

WArm regrads MAlgo

jhm (202989) 2016-08-13 0:54

Hello Michael,

I have much esteem for people, do with running sport, I know perfect what his run, the most beautiful sport in the world.
The four people are all not young but I think an excellent condition.
Colours and area are nice to look at.
Nice composition and good presentation.
Very well done,

I wish you a nice weekend,
John.

Royaldevon (75378) 2016-08-13 6:59

Ha! Ha! Mike, you should have taken a photograph of the lady who alerted us to the race and was furiously searching for the runners, as well!
I'm glad you added the notes about the reason for the runners wearing the name Pete Bland, otherwise, it was an amazing co-incidence!

This is a nice series of shots.
They are all very individual, sporting different club vests and showing different expressions. I'm surprised that none of them looks to grimacing with the effort, for it is a very testing race covering such a long distance and up such steep inclines, but your photographs cannot lie.

I wonder if any of them were involved in accidents.
Do you remember how many emergency vehicles we saw?

Have a good w/e,
Bev :-)

alvaraalto (42272) 2016-08-13 12:58

Hello Mike
Splendid compilation of these four tough man. All four portraits show the men doing a great effort, full of confidence for a good result.
You choose four times just the right moment.
Groet Rob

abmdsudi (88537) 2016-08-15 19:39

Hi Mike
High spirited fell "runners" It's their expressions - I can feel their pain- that make this combo precious. Like the good details and light in this good capture. Well done.
Best wishes

serp2000 (47063) 2016-09-22 1:48

Hi, Mike,
Good compilation of the sportsmen's portraits. But this is not my cup of tea, I need a swimming-pool or just a sea for my back bone. Yep, I am going to Phillipines and Guam in October, for example.
Good report from the race.
Greetings from rainy Krasnokamsk...
Serghei