Calder Valley Fell Runner storms to another victory in Spire Ultra

Calder Valley Fell Runners’ Kevin Hoult stormed to first place for the second consecutive year in the rescheduled Spire Ultra - a 34-mile ‘Maypole’ run around Chesterfield’s crooked spire.
By Tom Scargill
Published 3rd Nov 2020, 14:03 BST
Kevin Hoult. Photo: Jamie GlazebrookKevin Hoult. Photo: Jamie Glazebrook
Kevin Hoult. Photo: Jamie Glazebrook

63 solo runners and five relay teams braved last Saturday’s wind, rain and mud to take part in this race, which had been significantly amended to take the pandemic into account, including marshalls in PPE and runners setting off in socially distanced ‘pods’ based on their expected finish time.

Hoult shaved six seconds off his previous personal best in testing conditions, and was a staggering 10 minutes and 13 seconds ahead of second placed Ady Pendred and nearly 15 minutes ahead of Sam Anderson to finish this grueling 55-km route in an astounding four hours, 31 minutes and 31 seconds.

Todmorden Harriers’ Charles Colbourn also battled the elements to complete the Spire Ultra, completing the course in just over six hours, finishing a creditable 16th.

Related topics:Calder ValleyChesterfieldPPE

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