#CountryKids Kendal Winter League, Firbank Fell Under 12 Fell Race

After his fell running debut last week my son was very keen to do even better this week. Despite my navigational error we made it to Firbank Fell just in time for the club warm up. 

We didn't have time to inspect the course just a distant look:

There didn't appear to be as many under 12s as the previous week (maybe the wet weather kept some away!):

After the safety briefing and head count they were sent hurtling across the soggy ground:

I have to say I like my son's running style when he is fresh and raring to go:

Very soon they were distant colourful blobs as they headed off to the fell proper:

The youngsters had to run half way up the fell before returning. The good thing about my son's vibrant outfit is that I could see him from all the way at the bottom:

It was so cold and damp that a) my phone shut down b) the mud at the bottom of the fell was cold and wet c) at least one child left a running shoe in the mud but carried on! My son was amongst many that found the course really tough going. A friend's mum helped him back to the bottom field and then I ran towards the finish with him. He was cold and gutted about coming last (that statement has now been confirmed by the official results 44th boy under 12). 

We returned to Kendal and after a change of clothes, a hot lunch and chocolate milkshake he is raring to go again next week at Giggleswick: 

I was left with the challenge of post muddy run socks: