In winning the 2021 British and English women’s fell running championship titles for the first time, Hannah Horsburgh fulfilled a long-time dream. But that only tells half the story. The jaw-dropping way she won them is the real fairy tale. From beating seemingly unbeatable records to beating seemingly unbeatable men, Hannah’s performances have been the talk of the fells, hills and mountains for the past six months. Now, for the first time, the modest 31-year-old INOV8 ambassador and full-time horse racing yard rider talks about her incredible gallop to success.
Congratulations Hannah on a phenomenal 2021, what was your highlight?
“Winning the British Championship race at Dufton in September. It was a one-race championship this year and so the pressure was on to have a strong run on the day. It was also one of the few times this year we got to race with the men, as most fell races were split up, with us women setting off first. I knew I was in good form and was excited to be lining up with everyone together again. I remember standing at the start, looking round at the top fell running lads, and thinking ‘let’s have it!’
“The course was a new one (7 miles / 3,000ft) and the men set off fast – I knew they would! I settled into my own pace and was happy to be leading a lot of very strong women. Then, as we got stuck into the climbs, I noticed some of the men coming back to me. I kept looking ahead, seeing another man, catching and passing him, then chasing down the next one. It was good fun!
“I ended up finishing 4th overall, which was amazing. To win the women’s British Championship and finish so high up; I was quite emotional afterwards. I wanted to win it so bad, plus I think there was a lot of relief too, as I’d put quite a bit of pressure on myself to do well.”
Editor’s note – Hannah finished the race 4th overall in a time of 1:00:43, behind Chris Richards (57:31), Jacob Adkin (58:16) and Matthew Elkington (59:28). Second woman was Scout Adkin (1:08:42), with Emma Gould (1:10:24) third.
Take it back to July and your first big race of the year, the second counter in the 2021 English Championship, at Blencathra. What do you remember about that race?
I must admit, I wasn’t going to race any of the 2021 championship events. I didn’t really fancy it. I’d been very busy at work and found myself feeling more tired than usual. Then I heard the first English Championship race had happened at Ennerdale and I got the itch.
“Blencathra (8 miles / 2700ft) was the next race in the championship and, after a late decision to give it a go, I managed to get an entry four days before it. I literally had no expectations and went there to have fun running in the hills. We got going – the women setting off first – and I chose the steep way up the first climb. I came out near Scout Adkin and we ran together for a bit. I was really surprised at how strong I felt and tried not to get carried away. I thought I’d probably blow up, but I felt strong throughout and pulled away to win.
“I had no idea about my time, or that I’d broken the women’s record. I wore my old Casio watch but never started it. I never do, I just prefer to run as hard as I can and not run to a stopwatch on my wrist. I remember crossing the finish line full of adrenaline and feeling like I could go again. Then, about half an hour later, it hit me, and I felt rough!
“When the results came out, they showed I had the 9th fastest time overall with women and men combined. I was totally shocked. My time was faster than many runners I never dreamed I would even get close too. After that I decided that I would try and do more of the English Championship races to see if I could potentially win it.”
Editor’s note – Hannah finished 9th overall in a time of 59:56, beating Lauren Jeska’s 2010 women’s record by almost 11 minutes and falling just 1:17 behind Ricky Lightfoot’s then-men’s record. Scout Adkin (1:04:57) was second, with Hannah Russell (1:08:32) third. Jacob Adkin broke Ricky’s record with a time of 56:15. After this, Hannah went on to win three further English Championship races (Alderman’s Ascent, Pete Bland Kentmere Horseshoe and South Mynd Tour) to secure the 2021 title.
Going back a bit further, your first big signs of improvement came in March 2020 when you won the women’s race at Yr Aran (Wales), the opener in that year’s British Championship. Did that surprise you?
“It did because it was the first time I’d beaten Vic Wilkinson, who I’ve idolised for many years. The first time I saw her was at a trial race for an international team, probably back around 2014. I was watching and saw how fast Vic and the other runners were at going uphill. Her speed, strength and physique were amazing. I saw her at more races and loved the way she smashed records – and beat top men too. Over the years I’ve looked up to what she has achieved and thought, ‘I want to be like Vic’.
“When I won the race in Wales I was really pleased. I’d been enjoying my training over the winter and was determined to try and make it ‘my year.’ That first win was the perfect start. Unfortunately, it didn’t really count for anything as coronavirus then spread and the rest of the race season was scrapped. I was gutted. I was in the best shape of my life and felt I’d made a big step forward.”
Editor’s note: Hannah finished Yr Aran (10 miles / 3100ft) in a time of 1:36:01 and 37th place overall. Vic Wilkinson (1:39:29) was second (and first over-40) and Nicola Jackson (1:40:25) third.
Between Yr Aran in March 2020 and Blencathra in July 2021 you made even bigger improvements. What do you put this down too?
“During some of the lockdowns in 2020 I was furloughed from my job. I spent a lot of my time hiking in the hills close to home (Braithwaite, near Keswick, Lake District), usually about 3 hours a day. I didn’t do a huge amount of running, but once back at work, I returned to training too. I think all the hiking helped me improve my hill strength.
“People have naturally asked about my physique during the 2021 fell running season and yes, my body does look different to how it used too. I lost weight in 2020 and into 2021, and at the same time got stronger. I didn’t go on a diet or do any specific strength exercises, it all came through my hiking, running and work. I was just doing what made me happy, which is the most important thing.
“I work at Nicky Richards Racing’s Greystoke stables and have done for about 4 years. It’s very physical work and I love it. I don’t need to do any extra strength work, my job does it for me! Holding a horse tight on the gallop, mucking out and all the other jobs have helped me develop muscles I never knew existed. I ride three horses every day and I find it a real workout for my legs and back. I hadn’t ridden a horse before I started, I just saw the job advertised and rang up to see if they’d give me a chance. They’ve taught me how to ride and I absolutely love it. It’s tough, physical work, but it suits me.”
And what sort of food do you eat to maintain energy levels for such a demanding job, plus your training?
I cook my own meals as I eat at different times to my family, normally after my run. I eat a lot because I work hard in a physical job. When I get home, I usually sort the chickens out, do some work on the house we’re building and then go for a run, so I don’t really stop, and am often hungry! I’m not a fancy eater, I like meat, veg and potatoes/rice in the evening; porridge for breakfast; sandwiches for lunch; and flapjack for snacks. Cottage pie is my favourite. I like good, honest food enjoyed by farmers, that’s what I eat. I don’t do protein drinks, energy shakes, all that sort of thing.
You mention you run after work. What does a typical week of training look like for Hannah Horsburgh?
“I like to do something every day but it’s not always running. I do some hiking and cycling too. To be honest, I mainly train alone. I don’t have a training schedule, diary, coach or anything like that. I run for the love of it and train on feel. If I feel good, I push it. If not, I take it easy.
“I don’t have a fancy sports watch; I can’t stand them. I have a watch that tells the time and that’s good enough for me. I don’t use it as a stopwatch. People talk about Strava but I don’t really know what it is, and don’t really care either. I’m not rude, but it doesn’t interest me what running other people are doing. It’s the same with social media – I don’t use it.
“I occasionally go to Keswick AC training sessions but most of the time I just run in the hills near home. I always do 10 minutes of walking before I start to run and just ease myself into it. I love it as it’s my personal time, it helps me clear my head and I just enjoy being in the hills. My runs are usually between an hour and 1.5 hours, and I often listen to dance music when I’m out.
“It’s all very natural. I listen to my body. I think that a structured training plan would stress me out and my body would rebel! I have to enjoy my running and I find the way I do things allows me to do that.”
And have you always been a keen runner?
“No, I was into team sports growing up. Running never interested me. I did it because the teachers at school made me! I played hockey and rugby (to county level) till my late teens. Then came triathlon, which was kind of strange because I was a terrible swimmer and hate cold water! I was nearly always last after the swim of a triathlon, and then I’d go like mad on the bike and run to make up places. I won a few races and improved my swimming a bit!
“I enjoyed the running part of triathlons, so then started to focus more on that. I got into track running – 800m, 1500m and 3000m. I found I kept getting injured though. A couple of years later I decided, a bit out of the blue, to try a fell race – it was Skiddaw Fell Race in 2014 – 10 miles up and down Skiddaw from Keswick. I hadn’t done any proper fell training for it, I just decided to give it a go. I borrowed kit from friends, including a men’s Keswick AC vest, and I loved it. It was brutal though, and I couldn’t walk for about 2 weeks afterwards!”
Editor’s note – The 2014 Skiddaw Fell Race (10 miles / 2700ft) results show Hannah finished in a time of 1:24:14, placing third woman behind Scout Adkin (1:21:38) and Lindsey Brindle (1:22:13), and 21st overall.
Fast forward seven years from that first race in 2014 and how would you describe yourself now as a fell runner?
“I like to think I’m a gritty, determined runner and racer, not afraid to get stuck in when it gets tough. I think some of that comes from my background. I’ve had struggles, as many people have, and I think some of them allow me to dig that bit deeper when it’s most needed. The challenges we overcome in life make us stronger, that’s what I believe.”
And aside from everything you’ve mentioned what else (if you have time) do you enjoy?
“I like a simple life, really. I love my work and the structure it helps bring to my days, with the later afternoons and evenings free for the chickens, the house building and my training. After that it’s food and a bit of TV before bed. I don’t watch a lot of TV and prefer to talk with family instead, though I do like Bake Off. I like to zone out and spend time with family. I’m not one for binging on a TV series or that sort of thing.”
Finally, will you be hoping to defend your titles in 2022 and do you have other running goals?
“For now, I’m going to enjoy some rest. I’ll keep running, hiking and biking, but continue to just do it to how I feel.
“Next year I will probably look at the British and English Championships again and if opportunities come along elsewhere, I’ll look at them. I do want to push myself even further and see what’s possible, but I must make sure that I’m always enjoying it, otherwise there’s no point doing it.”
Oh, nearly forgot, what’s your favourite piece of INOV8 running kit?
"My X-TALON G 235 shoes, I absolutely love them. They fit so well and give me lots of confidence over the fells. I wear them for all my races."
*All photos by Stephen Wilson - Grand Day Out Photography
