Border Liners marked another significant return to competition recently by hosting a round of the 2021 Cumbria Galoppen League on a crispy-dry Knipe Scar Common near Bampton. Perfect running conditions helped competitors make the most of the well-mapped terrain and selection of courses planned by Border Liner Owain Rice.
Around the 8.1km (200m climbing) Brown course, Finlay Johnson of the South Ribble Orienteering Club took top position just forty seconds clear of runner-up Steve Birkinshaw of the West Cumberland Orienteering Club. Their times were 42.14 and 42.54 respectively. Border Liner newcomer Jack Eyre claimed an excellent fifth place (47.03) whilst Karen Parker took a superb tenth and was first female finisher with a time of 51.04.
Nick Howlett of the Lakeland Orienteering Club was fastest around the Blue course (7.2km/175m) with a time of 51.37, almost two minutes clear of runner-up Martin Skinner of the West Cumberland club (53.11). David Mainwaring took an excellent sixth place (55.24) to keep the BL flag flying with John Ferris-Worth making the top-fifteen in 60.02.
Taking a super win around the 4.2km (150m climbing) Green course, Ruben Razzetti had a winning margin of almost five minutes from runner-up Nick Evans of WCOC. Their respective times were 29.40 and 34.08 with the young Border Liner, Razzetti, showing great running speed around the moorland terrain. Graham Capper of the Lakeland club took third position (35.02) with Stella Lewsley (39.09), Christine Goulding (39.54) and Carol Edwards (40.09) all filling the top-fifteen scoreboard.
On the Short Green (3.5km/125m) course, Chris Lates claimed the runner-up position for Border Liners with a time of 41.18, just less than two minutes behind winner Janet Nash of Lakeland Orienteering Club.
Border Liners next competitive outing is a club event on Gowbarrow Fell on Saturday 15th May with entries online only.
David Rawle
Border Liners Orienteering Club 