Scottish runner Damian Gielty and Brit Jo Stevenson, who races with Team Nordic Trail Visattra, triumphed in the Scafell Sky Race 2019, which took place in the Lake District on June 8.
More than 200 runners from 10 countries across Europe arrived at the National Trust’s iconic Sicklebarn to compete in the first race in the Skyrunner UK & Ireland series 2019.
The Scafell Sky Race is part of the Lake District Sky Trials, developed by Charles Sproson of Mountain Run.
This was the third edition of Scafell Sky Race, which offers a 40km, 3500m vert course through the UNESCO status English Lake District.
It is a technical course that traverses the highest summit in England, Scafell Pike. However, on the day of the race, difficult weather conditions resulted in organisers making the tough decision to remove two sections of the race course, including Scafell Pike.
From the start, the men’s race was dominated by Damian, as well as Jayson Cavill, from England, and local fell runner Matt Reedy. The trio worked hard to push their own limits and they set a fast pace.
At the mid-way Feed Station at Seathwaite Farm, Damian saw the chance for a break away and pushed hard up Sour Milk Ghyll to take the lead. He finished first in a time of 04:20:25.
He was followed closely by Jayson in second place in 04:25:29 and Matt in third in 04:34:40
In the women’s race, Kasia Osipowicz, of Glossopdale Harriers, and Jo Stevenson were in contention. Jo fought strongly all the way round, taking first place in 05:24:07. She was 17th overall.
Kasia, who will be competing in next month’s Lakes Sky Ultra, took second place in 05:38:55. She was 22nd overall. Meanwhile Eva Wilkes, of Norwich Road Runners, was third in06:25:22 and was 55th overall
Of the 201 starters, 187 finished the race with 14 runners retiring either at the Mid Way Feed Station or being timed out at Esk Hause, CP7, which was moved from the summit of Scafell Pike to accommodate the adjusted course.
See full results.
See Skyrunning UK.
Next races:
Lakes Sky Ultra 2019 – 13th July 2019, entries open , 60km+, 5500m vert
Pinnacle Ridge Extreme – 13th July 2019, entries open, 27km, 2900m vert