The top of Helvellyn on a warm Bank Holiday Saturday has a lot in common with Blackpool. Not my scene, although at least you can get an ice cream down on the prom. Long race bagged for the club champs though, which was the main aim of the outing.
Results:79th/114 V60: 4th/9 Time: 3:33:38
Distance: 24km Climb: 1337m
Another of the best races in the calendar. It’s short, it’s tough and it traverses some really difficult terrain. Conditions on the night were horrendous – good for me – so I spent the whole time battling to close down the leading V60 in front of me. The legs wouldn’t pick up the pace as we turned at the top so I made up fewer places than I had hoped on the descent. Still, a decent result despite the evident tiredness in the legs. After the race we are treated to a drink of orange squash in a washed up pot noodle pot, most of which date back to before Greta Thunberg was born.
Results: 28th/78 V60: 2nd/8 Time: 44:01
Distance: 5.6km Climb: 366m
If somebody were to ask where they should go to experience the very best of fellrunning which race would come to mind? Jura, Borrowdale, The Three Peaks perhaps? Or Caw? Could this be the very best fell race in the calendar? I’d say so, having done each of those other three several times, as well as over 150 others. This was my 12th time running the race that has everything, or everything that matters in a fell race – the welcoming informality of the local races in Lancashire, the proper fell terrain of the best Lakes races and the variety of route choice that opens up the competition.
And back in mid-table, the competition for that V60 position Nick and I have fought over all season was hotly contested. Nick always sets off fast and so beat me to checkpoint one on The Knott. I caught up on the short descent just after but he broke away again on the steep climb and beat me to the top of Caw, this time with a decent gap. I closed him down and passed but Nick runs better on the less steep terrain so got ahead again before we return to The Knott. Last chance then – I have to get clear before we hit the tarmac so I give it my all to make up the ground. Holding on to the lead in to the finish nearly finished me off and I’m sure it had the same effect on Nick. We’re too old for all this. We both know it. Will we stop – not a chance! It’s thrilling.
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| Arriving at The Knott first time Nick ahead - Photo from Petra |
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| Arriving at The Knott on the return Nick already through - photo Libby |
Results: 30th/64 V60: 4th/8 Time: 1:11:04
Distance: 9.3km Climb: 550m
I’m not quite sure why I chose this race ahead of Fairfield Horseshoe which was on the same day, but as it happened, it worked in well with a fantastic Ed Byrne gig in Darwen Library Theatre on the Friday night. After staying over, I had an easy Saturday morning motorway drive towards Oldham.
I honestly think I’d have found Fairfield easier. For me, it was too hot, too long and too runnable. That’s not to say it’s a bad race – it’s an excellent race with fantastic views over Marsden Moor but the hard track around the middle of the race was too much for me. I’d fallen over twice by then, clumsily, on easy paths so I suppose that shows a level of fatigue in the legs. Maybe I paid for going too hard on Coniston but anyway managed mid-table respectability with the result.
Results: 83rd/206 V60-69: 7th/17 Time: 1:40:16
Distance: 16km Climb: 518m
A somewhat more serious undertaking for number 32, given the wet and claggy conditions at Coniston. The climbs are bigger, there’s a bit of slippery rock and even an element of route choice. I felt that I’d be fine getting round, knowing these fells quite well as I do, but on the climb to the top of Wetherlam I think that Tuesday’s effort at Orchan Rocks was taking its toll. Nick went past and I didn’t expect to see him again but picked him back up on the drop in to Swirl Hawse. The field spread out again after Swirl How where I decided to stay further left than usual for the security of using the steep slope down to the valley as a handrail. Coming over Brim Fell I saw Nick pass in a group off to my right then stay what I thought was too far right leaving The Old Man. I again ploughed my own furrow and dropped close to the tourist path initially, spotted the ruin with a telegraph pole that marks the top of that famous bit of scree and dropped on to the group running along the stream immediately ahead of Nick. With only the downhill path to go I upped the pace a bit, overtook a few more and ended up 3rd V60. An unexpectedly good result in a race like Coniston which normally attracts a pretty decent field of runners. Very happy with my £15 PB Sports voucher.
The slightly sobering side of this result comes with looking at my PB. I’m now about 25 minutes slower. 25 actual minutes. ¡Joder! Pardon my Spanish.
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| Part of the BCR Team pre-race |
Results: 88th/232 V60: 3rd/21 Time: 1:54:10
Distance: 14km Climb: 1065m
A day of lightweight DIY down in Lancashire re-sticking Anaglypta wallpaper to a ceiling at my mum’s set me up for the short drive over Sharneyford to a cracking little race in Todmorden. Sticking with the 1980’s vibe, there was “No Jacket Required”.
Beautiful evening, up out of the valley, round a prominent rock outcrop taking in a short but steep second climb then brakes off to try to bag a few scalps on the descent. I gave it all I had, fancying my chances of a category win although the field was bigger than in previous years. In the Staff of Life after the event I didn’t pick up the prize but was happy enough with my run and I enjoyed a great post-race pint and chip butty. Proper Fell Running!
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| The finish funnel with Stoodley Pike just visible in the distance |
Results: 46th/134 V60: 3rd/24 Time: 30:58
Distance: 5.4km Climb: 280m
