Local fell race organiser Kev Shand to retire

Date published: 15 May 2023

This year’s Blackstone Edge Fell Race on 24 May will be the last for long-time organiser Kev Shand.

After 40 years at the helm, Kev is retiring from organising his two fell races – but hopes someone else will pick up the mantle for the classic courses.

The Blackstone Edge Fell Race is a 3.5-mile race (with 1,300ft of elevation) from the Lydgate hamlet on Blackstone Edge Old Road, and Kev is hoping for a large turnout to match last year’s 185 starters.

He said: “I started the race in 1983 from the old, long-gone Lydgate Pub. The event was sponsored by the then-landlord. Over the years, it has been a British Championship race twice.

“It never would have lasted so long without the kind help from local farmers Steve and Jan Shepherd.”

Kev is also retiring from organising the Turnslack Fell Race from Calderbrook, which has run since 1978. The Turnslack race takes place in July and is a gruelling eight-mile course with 2,000ft of elevation.

He said: “I started this one two years after I started fell running myself. This one will be my 45th race.

“As it is, I’m now the longest-serving fell race organiser in history, but I hope they will carry on with someone else in charge as they are long-standing classic races.

“I could never have put the races on without help from my old Rochdale Harriers friends and my West Pennine Cycling mates.”