Lonesome Pine Run – RESULTS

Photos: Del Stevyn

The clouds hugged the hills surrounding the reservoir as the Lonesome Pine Run, race 5 of the Shadowlands Winter Trail Series, looked set to go ahead.  Over the course of the day the markers had been put out and it was a case of crossing all those fingers that nothing gets taken down or moved before the race starts.  Runners approached this knowing that the series is well advanced and this was a great chance to grab good points ahead of next weeks popular Duergar Run.  With 16km of trail and 360m of ascent this was a middle distance race that could appeal to both the racing snakes and those with a bit more endurance.

Runners signed on with Yvonne and Joanne in the shelter before getting a little chat with Adrian.  A logging truck had temporarily blocked the Lakeside Way but managed to be clear with a minute to spare so the runners could set off dot on 6pm.  We avoided the tarmac roads by having everyone pile through the pinetum and under the banks of Kielder castle (well, hunting lodge) and into the clutches of Carole who waited on the bridge to point everyone on the village bypass track over the road.  Even from my high spot I could see the lights streaming down from the car park and then they would occasionally sparkle as runners made their way through the trees along the Lakeside Way.

The Lakeside Way stretch was pretty flat with only the odd incline which presented little challenge.  For three miles the runners could open their strides and make fantastic progress along to the Lewis Burn outlet where the route turned west, dipped under the main road until eventually everyone was greeted by a cheery Andy Lane who took people off a side track and onto a forest track.  It’s a shame people did not get to see the marvel of Andy’s multi coloured Dacia Duster which wouldn’t be out of place on the Vegas strip with all the colour on it.  Once up on to the forest track it was now a long arcing ascent which people had the pleasure of going down last week.  Not so easy going up.  This was a long stretch where anyone in a race can really start to think how they will play the rest of the run.

Turning off this main track everyone was thrust on to the toughest climb of the day which go gradually steeper until eventually everyone got to see myself and Ben waiting for you at the highest point.  The front runners were through and away in a flash.  The middle lot gave a friendly hi and the tail end were so knackered they had plenty to say!  This high point offered a lovely vantage over the mountain bike descent and I watched headtorches meander down the hillside until they gently butted up against the forest track below.  This freshly laid trail must have been a dream to run on with it’s wide aspect and large leaning berms.

Firing out of the first mountain bike trail there was a small ascent to an neat intermediate off piste section before skirting past SkySpace and bumping into Nic who was waiting at the head of the Sky Dive trail.  Sky Dive follows the same theme in that it’s been relaid to be fast, wide and flowing but sets itself apart by being a tab steeper than the previous offering.  Runners could attack the big turns or just gently wind their way down before popping on to a small stretch of fire road and dipping straight back into the bottom section of trail.  Once done with that Georgina waited to spit you out onto the main road and head on solid tarmac back to the castle.  At the bridge Carole made sure you went down the reverse of the start behind the castle which meant a nasty little zig-zag climb before getting home to have your number taken and dishing out a hot chocolate and home baked delights for refreshment.  When enough people were back it was presentation time with a wide range of categories on offer.

What surprised me the most is that the general feedback from runners was that this Lonesome Pine race was one of the best of the series.  From my mountain biker eyes I had this down as less desirable but viewed from a runners perspective the wide, flowing trails made for faster and more predictable running so I get it.  There is also a wide range of terrain variation on offer with the Lakeside Way, smooth trails, bumpy trails, mountain bike stuff, tarmac and a techy finish.  We’ll definitely stick this one on the 2026/2027 race calendar.

Female Results

For anyone who has been following the series it will come as no surprise that Rachel Malthouse led the way on the women’s side.  If anything her pace is increasing as the series goes on as she managed to grab fourth overall with only three men ahead.  Seven minutes behind was Laura Braunholtz who followed up last weeks third place with a step up to second.  In third the impressively consistent Emma Leigh continues her string of top five placings.

FV40

Emma Leigh puts in another top three performance to notch up those points for the series by taking the win here.  Toosie, hands down the coolest name here, was only a minute behind to grab second spot and Helen Clark came home in just over two hours having put in a real shift.

FV50

Now this is where the action is!  The FV50 category lies wide open for anyone who wants to reach out and grab it.  Melanie Annable has taken a huge step towards that by taking the win at Lonesome Pine.  As does Helena Gribben in second and they both go into next week with a real shot at the series title.

Male Results

* on the day entry.  Not counting towards series.

Shock horror it was Malthouse and Armin battling it out at the sharp end once again.  Graham Malthouse had a very strong outing and took the win by four minutes ahead of Andrew.  Andrew can afford to take the long game overall and just needs to keep within touching distance of Graham.  In third the impressively reliable Andrew Dancer marches home in just under 1:20.

MV40

On the day of the Lonesome Pine race Graham is an MV40 but for the series he’s in the overall category.  Today he took both category titles with a massively impressive run that hammered home his top form at the moment.  Andrew Dancer takes second to continue this amazing streak of top finishes and Gavin Francis gets the job done once again for high placing.

MV50

A scorching run by late entry Graeme Scott had him taking away the MV50 category title with a determined Jonathan Gaskell finishing second.  In terms of series points, Jonathan takes the full amount as Graeme was a last second entry and we don’t have his details.

MV60

Legend Derek Esson got round in a brilliant time of 2:19 to take the MV60 category and close the gap on series leader Tony Brown.