Race 19: Rivock Edge

Another new race for me and an interesting route with a wide variety of terrain. Starting on an industrial estate, the race follows the Leeds and Liverpool Canal for a short distance before crossing fields to the first climb through woodland. The middle section covers some rougher ground and climbs to the trig point on Rivock Edge through dense forestry. After a short open section on top of the fell, there is an interesting descent through the trees before crossing more fields and re-tracing our steps along the canal tow path.

I am not a fast runner on the flat so I was pleased to be placed well inside the top half as we left the canal on the way out. I lost a few places on the climb, as per usual, but once the group ahead of me had got away I held the same position for the last two thirds of the race. The runners were so well spaced out that I couldn't catch anyone on the downhill but on the plus side, I had a big enough lead on the guy behind not to have to worry about him on the return along the canal.

Kath had positioned herself next to the canal bridge and it was lucky she did because she persuaded some narrow boat users to wait for the runners to cross before opening the bridge so they could pass. I wonder how many would have taken a dip to gain an advantage!

Not until I saw the results on-line did I realise that I had made the top half by the narrowest of margins - on the day I thought that I had missed out. This is the third consecutive race where losing just one more place would have put me outside the top half. I thought that I was unlucky to miss by a tight margin on a couple of races but actually, I have been in by less than 5 places 5 times and out by less than 5 places 3 times so far. Consistent if nothing else - consistently not very good!

Anyway, since I'm making up the rules for this challenge, I have made up another one today. I have started to calculate my position as a percentage of the field in each race and so far, on average, at 49.6% I am in the top half - only just but I am - so that'll do!

Crossing the Leeds and Liverpool Canal on the way out

Returning to the canal bridge after tackling the fell section

Results: 21st/42
Distance: 10.9km/6.8 miles  Climb: 269m/883ft