Kinder Downfall Fell Race

Sunday 4th May 2025 | Hayfield | Author by Paul Robbins

7 DRCers turned up in the picturesque town of Hayfield to take on Phil Howson's favourite race of the year and the 1st race in the DRC fell champs. 

This was my first time running it and I was informed that it was 'just' 5km up , 5km across and then about a 5km 'fun' down and flat section to the finish. Seems easy except that the first 5km ascends around 500m! I was also tricked by a false summit of which I had to take a picture of after I swore at it.

If you squint you can see the line of runners meandering up the hill.

Admittedly the middle section was quite fun across the rocks and then it was good to get a good long section of downhill in a race although the legs were getting a little shaky towards the end. 

There were 249 finishers on the day and the DRC contingent all finished within around 15mins of each other with Olly Harrison completing it in an impressive 1:34:30, and Chris Hodson bagging maximum points in League 2. 

We all then took advantage of the sunshine and squeezed in a quick pint and a packet of fancy crisps (I'm still not quite sure what Gentleman's Relish flavour actually is) before the drive home.

1	70	Oliver Harrison	M40	Dronfield RC	1:34:30
2	78	James Hogg	M40	Dronfield RC	1:36:11
3	93	Ben Clithero	M40	Dronfield RC	1:39:50
4	103	Simon Bayliss	M50	Dronfield RC	1:41:01
5	127	Paul Robbins	M40	Dronfield RC	1:45:42
6	133	Chris Hodson	M50	Dronfield RC	1:46:22
7	146	Charlie Knight	M	Dronfield RC	1:48:31