Winners

Race Report

What a night! A warm, sunny evening and over 100 riders entered, 28 of whom were below 16 years old. We had competitors ranging from 7 (this is why we organise a closed road) to 70+ years and plenty of supporters along the course. This event is squarely aimed at riders of all ages and all abilities and there were some incredible performances across the whole range. Thanks to everyone that entered, that helped run it, Veloviewer, GrowMeTrees, Pedal Bike Repairs and The Dore Bar and Grill for donating prizes, and the residents of Whitelow Lane who put up with the inconvenience of a closed road each year. We’ll be back in 2024.

Fastest times:
Males

Juveniles: Alfie Nott (14 yrs old and riding for Sheffield Youth Cycling Club) was fastest in this category, completing the 1.5km climb in 4.02 mins. Runner up Roch Morgan (also 14 and riding for Derby Mercury RC) was 4 seconds slower.

Veterans: History repeated itself in this category. Nick Latimer (team Lifting Gear products) won again with the same (record) time he set last year (3.41mins). This was good enough for the overall runner up position as well. Gavin Alcock (7 Hills Cycling Club) was second, again, with a really good ride setting 3.54 mins. This put him in 8th place overall, was the fastest rider racing for the host club and, most importantly for him, meant he held off the challenge from his son for at least one more year.

Male16 years and over. Fastest overall was Isaac Oliver (Sheffield Youth Cycling Club). Incredibly, Isaac has only just turned 16 years, was 5 seconds ahead of Latimer and only 1 second slower than Andy Nichols’ course record. Clearly a rider with a big future ahead. The podium was completed by Andy Douglas (Veloviewer) who recorded 3.47mins but was only hundredths of a second ahead of Callum Stewart (East London Velo) and Sebastian Sturges (myhillcycling.co.uk). This was a competitive field with the top 13 riders all managing to complete the course in 4 mins or less.

Females

Juveniles: Another incredible performance won the female side of the race. Olivia Marriot (Derby Mercury RC) is only 11 years old but she won the juvenile category with a time of 5:09 mins. That beat the previous juvenile record held by Maia Howell by 7 seconds and was also the fastest female time overall. Seraphina Green (Sheffield Youth Cycling Club) was runner up with 5:43mins.

Veterans: First female veteran was also a close second overall behind Marriott. Jen Dick (Fusion Cycling Club Dronfield) posted 5:11mins. Fiona Kay (7 Hills Cycling Club) was runner-up with 5:39.

Female16 years and over. So, we had Marriot (juvenile) as the winner, Dick (veteran) in second. The podium was completed by Amelia Cass (Loughborough Students) a further 10 seconds down on second place with 5:21 mins.

Well done to everyone!