Easy as 1-2-3 for FVO
A remarkable display of overall dominance saw local athletes fill the podium at England's largest multi-day event, with all three enjoying their moment in the spotlight.
The Lakes 5 Days is one of the highlights of the domestic calendar, along with the Welsh Croeso and the Scottish Six Days, and the steep slopes of the Cumbrian fells proved no obstacle to a large FVO team.
Heather Fellbaum was the first to make her mark, by winning the opening day W60 race at Askham, but Alison Cunningham then got up at Bessyboot on the second day for her moment of glory. Having been 4th and 2nd on the opening days, Hazel Dean then seized her chance, and trotted out three consecutive wins, at Yewdale, Birkrigg and Hampsfell, to win the class by over 100 points. Heather was 2nd overall, and Alison snatched the bronze medal at the death, as she recovered from a day 3 mispunch with a final day 3rd place. Another local W60, Louise Longhurst, was only in action on the final two days, but she also had a chance to shine, as she was 5th on day 4.
Martin Dean was the dominant force on the M65 short course, where he won four of the five stages, and Dave Coustick was 3rd in M80S. There were also cameo appearances from Andy Llewellyn, who won the first two days in M35 before returning to work, and Hannah Inman, who raced up a class but was 10th in W16, off two runs, including a remarkable win on the final day where she took nearly 20 minutes off the eventual class winner.
The elite classes saw Chris Smithard 6th in M21, and Laura Brown 7th in W21, while Alison Smithard was 9th in the same class. Dom Edward was 5th in M45, and Rob Truswell was 8th, while in M16, Lucas Baikie was 6th and James Edward was 9th. The local top 10 finishes were wrapped up by Oscar Baikie (6th in M10), Katie Hensman (8th in W20) and Ethan Baikie (10th in M12).