Race Date: Tuesday 5th August 2025

Race Report by Laura Rangeley

The Short Tour of Bradwell, aka Bradwell Fell Race, is a 5k race with 252m of climb, plonking it in the “AS” (short and steep) category of fell races. It’s a fairly low key “blast up a hill and back down again” with a surprise extra bonus of going back up the hill you’ve just come down near the end – more on that later.

It was a sunny but surprisingly chilly evening, which was great for the race but not so great for the standing around bit before it started. There was a large contingent of Striders, thanks to its inclusion in our annual fell race champs. I wasn’t feeling particularly enthusiastic, as the day before I’d done my longest road run since last November and was feeling somewhat fatigued. However as I often approach these things as an excuse to have a nice route ready for me with someone to point me in the right direction, rather than as a “race”, I was looking forward to a nice little pootle round and some good views on the way.

Just before the race began we were counted in and headed round the corner to the start line, where we had to wait a few minutes as a fairly sizeable number of runners had gone to the wrong start area – I understand the route of this race has changed a few times in recent years which seems to have caused a bit of confusion! Once we were eventually set off, I was quite surprised to find that the first kilometre was on the road, and mostly flat, which as well as potential for a faster start than expected (I didn’t bother taking up this opportunity) had me a bit more concerned about what was to come.

And then came the climb. Up, and up, and up. If you’ve done the Outside Hope Valley Round, you’ll be familiar with this path – it’s steep, narrow with spiky plants on either side, quite technical, and – for me at least – slow going. A real slog where lots of people overtook me. After what felt like an eternity we emerged onto the top of the edge and an abrupt left turn took us through some tufty fields with GLORIOUS views, it was absolutely beautiful up there and really worth the climb, aside from a massive wind which very nearly knocked me off my feet. I was able to nicely pick the pace up and make a bit of ground back, especially as we then came out onto a proper gravelly path with chance to really get the legs going. I was enjoying myself now and as we again turned left and started to descend down a steep, thistle strewn field with just a mile to go was feeling like I’d only just got going and sad that it was nearly over.

Reader, my disappointment that the race was almost run was shortlived. Crossing into the next field I could see what looked like runners ahead, but coming down from an as yet unseen high point. How on earth had they got up there?! Yep, turns out there was another hill after all, as alluded to in my introduction. I started to mentally prepare myself to climb back up the hill I’d only just sodding got down when I felt a sharp pain by my elbow and saw an evil yellow jacketed BEAST on my arm. I screamed and let forth a stream of expletives, very unlike me. I did not take this development like a champ and was a big baby about it for the remainder of the race. Although I guess I can at least recommend being stung by a wasp as a distraction from a hill (and the midge bites from Salt Cellar a few days before). I stomped my way to the top, flung myself dramatically down another steep descent (this one a slender path through some gorse, which led to many a scratched leg) before a track led us into the finish area. No lap round the field this time, and I crossed the line with a wobbly bottom lip and a fat red arm.

Anyway despite all of the above, to sum up I’d say that Bradwell Fell Race is a classic of the genre and a great little race, albeit a bit pricier than similar ones in the area (and no cake stall) which might account for the lower turnout. It definitely deserves more runners though, it’d be a huge shame to lose it from the calendar. My thanks must go to the volunteers, especially the absolutely lovely lady who found me the contents of three first aid kits, including one from her own campervan, and was very nice to me despite me being a whingy little mess. And also to Kev and Jo for kindly telling me that I was being a big brave girl.

There were 56 finishers, and Striders formed around a third of the total field. The race was won by Mark Jones of Dark Peak, in a time of 22.52, and Lonnie Jenneson of Buxton who’s time of 26.49 just pipped our very own Sarah Thorne to first place. We didn’t stay for the prizegiving but I understand we did pretty well in the category prizes (and I was 4th counter for the women’s team prize), and lots of club members came home with new socks for their efforts.

Striders Results