The Slooby Dooby Dhoo race formed the sixth and penultimate round of the Callin Wild Manx Fell Running League took place on Saturday.

Devised by Shaun Hubbard and set over a very challenging 10-kilometre course with 750 metres of ascent, it is described by the Peat - Running Wild blog as the second-gnarliest fell race in Britain.

A record 90 competitors tried their luck in this year’s edition, originally scheduled for mid-March but postponed because of coronavirus restrictions.

Orran Smith led the race from the start in Ballaugh Plantation until Slieau Curn, only for Lloyd Taggart to overtake him on the ridiculously steep ascent to the summit of Slieau Freoghane.

Gwilym Jones and Smith chased hard, but the evergreen Taggart held them off for the win, Jones taking second place and Smith third.

Neil Brogan fell heavily onto a boulder but sprung back like a Scottish ninja.

There were other battles going on at the rear but these were played out in slow motion. The effervescent Les Brown managed to make his way through a fair number at the back, using his downhill abilities.

The ever-popular Svetlin Krastev acted selflessly as sweeper to ensure everyone got home safely.

There was a titanic battle in the women’s race, the top three running down Slieau Dhoo almost side-by-side, eventually separated by 61 seconds. Honours went to Sian Coleman from Eleanor Miklos and Sinead Kaneen.

A total of 24 competitors took part in the Scrappy Dhoo Junior/Novice race over an exceptionally taxing 5km route.

Run for the first time in this particular event, the course was put together by Chris Kirk, who deserves special credit for successfully organising the junior league for the past four years.

The 2020 series incorporated novices into the same races to give both the young and the not-so-young a taste of our beautiful fells.

The youths won the day with impressive runs, Sulby’s Cian Howard winning in the incredible time of 26m 45s, from Freddie Griffin and Harry Kneen. Veteran Peter Cooper made a welcome return here, while Tony Rowley acted as sweeper and multi-tasked by picking up all the flags; no mean feat on the descent.

Manx Fell Runners wish to thank all the hard-working officials, land owners DEFA and tenants, plus Jim MacGregor of IoM Search and Rescue Dogs Association for the use of their phones.

A big thanks also goes to Steve at Ballamoar campsite for providing extra parking and the use of facilities before and after the race.

Gratitude also goes to Rosy Craine for organising the weekend’s camping and to Morgan’s Pies for delivering the food.

The last event of the season for the Callin Wild MFR League is the behemoth 28km Axnfell race on Saturday week, September 19. This is the last chance for members to complete five races and earn their MFR hoodie.

Manx Fell Running League, sponsored by Callin Wild, Ballaugh, Saturday - Manx Fell Runners.

Long course (Slooby Dooby Dhoo): 1, Lloyd Taggart 57 mins 50 secs; 2, Gwilym Jones 58.28; 3, Orran Smith 59.09; 4, Joseph Bond 1:03.05; 5, Tom Cringle 1:04.35; 6, Ste Downward 1:06.32; 7, Neil Brogan 1:06.49; 8, Tom Hughes 1:07.21; 9, Sam Looker 1:07.39; 10, Paul Sheard 1:10.29; 11, Graeme Hatcher 1:11.56; 12, Gary Kelly 1:12.24; 13, Ian Goatman 1:12.40; 14, Alan Sandford 1:13.00; 15, Matt Callister 1:13.14; 16, Mark Teare 1:13.23; 17, Geoff Rice 1:14.50; 18, Sian Coleman 1:17.51; 19, Jim Reid 1:18.10; 20, Eleanor Miklos 1:18.27; 21, Sinead Kaneen 1:18.52; 22, Chris Reynolds 1:19.33; 23, Neil Brewis 1:20.08; 24, Martin Young 1:20.18; 25, Gary Christian 1:20.19; 26, Chris Kirk 1:20.28; 27, Charlie Whipp 1:22.15; 28, Alex Redfearn 1:22.24; 29, Lee Johnson 1:22.24; 30, Chris Cale 1:23.00; 31, Nikki Arthur 1:23.25; 32, Paul Perkins 1:23.41; 33, Matthew Bettridge 1:23.45; 34, Chris Wade 1:24.41; 35, Paul Kneen 1:24.55; 36, John Norrey 1:25.10; 37, Jason Blue 1:25.34; 38, Doug Hornby 1:25.37; 39, David Griffin 1:26.00; 40, Steve Partington 1:26.06; 41, Finn Partington 1:26.08; 42, Sarah Curphey 1:26.25; 43, Tristan Kewley 1:26.25; 44, Mark Eastham 1:26.31; 45, Gary Sherry 1:26.43; 46, Maggie Watkins 1:26.56; 47, Eleanor Gawne 1:27.02; 48, Janette Gledhill 1:28.07; 49, Robert Crichton 1:28.33; 50, Caroline Caren 1:28.48; 51, Dan Richardson 1:29.09; 52, Sarah Collings 1:29.23; 53, Keith Lowe 1:29.40; 54, Ed Wilson 1:29.47; 55, Steve Callaghan 1:29.53; 56, Rosy Craine 1:30.48; 57, Paul Jackson 1:30.53; 58, Lisa Dunwell 1:31.08; 59, Adey Callister 1:31.39; 60, Lewis Veale 1:32.16; 61, Cameron Comley 1:32.17; 62, Lee Alstead 1:32.53; 63, Immie Birchall 1:33.43; 64, Nick Colburn 1:33.43; 65, Jason Coole 1:34.08; 66, Ian Hughes 1:36.12; 67, Jane Rose 1:36.26; 68, John Hills 1:37.10; 69, Chris Feeney 1:37.48; 70, David Hodgson 1:39.15; 71, Mike Hayler 1:40.47; 72, Ashley Sandyford-Sykes 1:40.49; 73, Ian Callister 1:42.57; 74, Jessica Bryan 1:44.10; 75, Sara Hinds 1:44.11; 76, Maria Hull 1:45.07; 77, Nicola Bowker 1:45.41; 78, Tonya Corrin 1:46.44; 79, Mark Corrin 1:46.44; 80, Huw Jones 1:50.51; 81, Becca Kelly 1:50.51; 82, Les Brown 1:52.01; 83, Michael Tait 1:52.22; 84, Nicholas Bradley 1:53.28; 85, Kevin Quirk 1:56.57; 86, Charlie Elliott 1:57.10; 87, Geoff Quayle 1:57.13; 88, Alex Parkes 1:57.57; 89, Stephen Willmott 2:01.45; 90, Svetlin Krastev 2:05.02.

Short course (Scrappy Dhoo): 1, Cian Howard 26min 45 sec; 2, Freddie Griffin 27.28; 3, Harry Kneen 28.33; 4, Alex Read 28.53; 5, Charlie Teare 28.58; 6, Nathan Hubbard 29.15; 7, Catherine Perry 29.56; 8, Madison McMullan 30.06; 9, Florence Griffin 31.04; 10, Regan Corrin 31.29; 11, Lottie Stennett 31.46; 12, Dominic Dunwell 32.52; 13, Nigel Comley 36.43; 14, Lucy Ormsby 37.12; 15, Peter Cooper 37.48; 16, Darcey Withington 41.27; 17, Amy Coole 41.43; 18, Michelle Sherry 42.35; 19, Sharon Cain 43.15; 20, Ed Coole 45.06; 21, Simon Scott 49.23; 22, Mary Tait 52.18; 23, Rebecca Greatbatch 53.08; 24, Dixie Yardley-Scott 55.12.