Untitled - Dark Peak Fell Runners

FEU.RUNNINGPatterson takes aclimb to the topBy CHRISWILSONSHEFFIELD librarianMalcolm Patterson was»art ofthe sivstronp Fngandteam who look partfin the Italian InternationalMountainChampionships in Milanlast week.And Malcolm. 26. of RavenRoad. Nether Edge, belivtlhe and his club. DarkPeak Fell Runners, could beon Ihe verge of a breakthroughin terms ofpopularity."As an international snort,fell running is very much inits infancy but it is improving•11 the time."Last year we sent a teamof four runners In Italy, thisyear il was six, and wr hopethe next sirp wilt be to sendwomen', and junior teams atwell," he taid.Malcolm is the first memberof the Dark Peak club towin international honours,and hedid well, finishing 13thoverall as the second Englishmanhome.Road*'I was very pleased withmy performance because Ionly enpecled to be the fourthor fifth Englishman home,"Malcolm said."The one who brat me.Kenny Sirwart, won ihr raceand he is tlie national fell runningchampion."A Scot came seventh andafl the others between me andKenny were Italians — andthey are probably the strongestfell running nation "The race was hased aroundthe Alpine town of Nognoand was run over about fivemiles, with 1,200 feet ofclimbing.I "It was a lough course with1lome steep descents near the\ end. but by English standardsAIMING HIGH . . . Sheffield fell runner MalcolmPatterson on a training stint on Den Bank,Crosspoot. Picture: FRANK TRAVERS.it was fairly easy and quickOur races tend to be oveirougher ground." Malcolmvwid.As well as England. Italyand Scotland, there wereteams from Wales. Austriaand Switzerland Taking partNotable absentees were theFrench and the Irish. Nunnations with a ilrong traditionof fell running.The prospect of gelling allthe major fell running nationstogether for a world championshipseems unlikely at themoment, however, because ofa clash of interests."We are struggling to.getsupport from the Internahona I Athletics Federation,who seem to want totake the sport over and holdtheir own world champion- *fcliips, bul the Fell Runner*'Association want to organisethemselves."There are not any prospectsof a world championshipuntil thai argument tssolved." Malcolm said.21