The 29th August marked the 113th Bilsdale Show in the heart of the North York Moors between Stokesley and Helmsley. It is a traditional and quintessential Dales Show with sheep judging, horses/ponies, dog shows, vintage tractors and machinery, horticultural produce, needle/craftwork, a hound trail, trade stands and refreshments as well as the main event the Bilsdale Show Fell Race (Tripsdale Trot).
The weather on the day was better than forecast albeit slightly overcast and humid but thankfully we missed the heavy showers later in the day. The Tripsdale Trot organised by the ever enthusiastic and keen fell runner David Sanderson is the 11th race in the Dave Parry Lets Run Summer Series. It is categorised as a BS race by the FRA being 8.9km with 438 metres of elevation. The route takes runners on a quick lap of the show ring and out across inbye fields and woodland onto the open moorland of Nab Ridge and Hagg House Moor and offers everything from good moorland tracks to sheep trods with bracken and heather bashing to deep peat bog gullies leading down to Tripsdale Beck. On crossing the beck, the route ascends back up the valley side before descending down through woodlands and fields passed Oak House back to the show ground with the finish culminating at the show ring with runners being welcomed by applause from both the public and their fellow runners.
In the tale of the tape the race was won by Andrew Armin (Saltwell Harriers) in 41 minutes 6 seconds although he was hard pushed all the way by Joe Martlew who finished in an excellent 2nd place with a time of 41 minutes and 21 seconds. Ashley Dodgson finished 11th in 48 minutes 41 seconds and managed to win his age group with strong runs from both Paul Chapman in 58 minutes 14 seconds and Gavin Coventry on his first fell race back from injury in 1 hour 1 minute.
An enjoyable day was had by all 60 runners who ranged from under 23 to a remarkable over 80 years of age. As always thanks and gratitude to the organisers and marshals as without their time and support these events would simply not happen.
Ashley Dodgson
