Race 2 of 12
in the 2017 Runfurther ultra-running championships.
A large
turn-out of keen runners descended on Sowerby Cricket Club for the third and
final running of this route. Speedy names and faces I recognised at the start
included Ian Symington, Kevin Hoult, Daniel Page, Chris Davies, Nicky Spinks
and Karen Nash, to name but six.
Dry weather
for over a week would give way to a morning burst of rain just on Saturday. I
expected it to be already with us by the 9am runners’ start but it was delayed by
2 hours. We even enjoyed broken sunshine for a while. The sun was just about shining
on the approach to CP3, Ryburn Reservoir, 4.6mi. I was chatting with Jerome
McAllister, who reminded me that we finished the Bullock Smithy Hike together
in 2015 and that he’s planning to do The Spine next year after completing The Spine
Challenger (the first 100 miles) this year. Rather him than me. I could never
take on such a daunting challenge. On the climb towards CP4 he left me for
dead, never to be seen again (he finished 22mins ahead).
The rain
finally hit at 10:45 on the approach to CP5, Windy Hill, 9.7mi. and was gone
well before CP6, White House, 12.8mi. As the rain began to spit with a black
pall looming ahead, I stopped in a sheltered spot just before emerging onto the
road to put on my lightweight Montane Minimus smock – a rather useless garment
that passes all rules with its taped seams but has always lacked any semblance
of waterproofness. However, I knew it’s all I would need today. As I did this,
a group of runners including Mick Cottam and Ian Hodge overtook me. They didn’t
take my cue. I knew they’d soon regret it; I knew what was coming.
The rain was
driving in heavily as we climbed to the checkpoint via the most direct road
route. I watched those in front struggling with their rucksacks and jackets to
don rain protection on the move when already wet, while I happily trotted up
the road, dry for the moment in my own temporary cocoon, until the seepage
would make me as wet as they already were.
For the
first time, I had my map and compass tucked away in my bum bag. I knew exactly
where I was going. My last reconnoitre of a week earlier had pioneered a final
route optimisation between CP7 and CP8 that avoided the turbine moor. It was much
quicker and more runnable.
We soon
became very spread out and sightings of other runners became less frequent,
with me catching and overtaking earlier-starting walkers, and runners (who had started
at the same time as I) doing the same to me. I always slow down. I was just
keeping Mick and Ian in sight from CP5. At CP7, Sladen Fold, 14.5mi. they were
just leaving as I arrived. I gave chase to see which way they would go. Mick
turned left to take the turbine moor route. Ian followed somewhat indecisively
after appearing to change his mind and direction. I carried on along the canal
towpath for a few miles towards Walsden to take the climb through Ramsden
Woods. Trouble is, the ability to run had all but deserted me now. I struggled
to shuffle my way along as I watched two other runners who had chosen the
parallel road route slowly pull away from me.
The climb
through Ramsden Woods was steep, picturesque and relatively short and it delivered
me to another lane that was once again runnable all the way to CP8, Coolam,
18.9mi. Mick arrived at the same time as I did, from the opposite direction. In
view of my serious slowdown, he would have been a long way ahead had we taken
the same route. He went ahead and was soon out of sight. As for Ian, there was
no sign. I assumed he was ahead and out of sight too.
As in
previous years, my slowdown continued, with running feeling like the most
unnatural thing in the world. As usual, I had to take walking breaks along the
perfectly runnable Limers Gate. Having availed myself of sandwiches whenever
available at the checkpoints, I grabbed another one at CP9, Slate Pit Hill,
21.6mi. Let’s see if that would find its way into the legs.
The descent
to Cornholme through the mountain bike woods was lonely, muddy and treacherous,
from slipping down in the mud and risking crashes with barely-in-control
cyclists. At the bottom in Cornholme, I caught up with a group of walkers –
known LDWA stalwarts – who then proceeded to leave me for dead on the next
climb towards Mount Cross. The sun was now out and it was getting rather warm,
just like in previous years. I didn’t catch up with them until 5 miles later
near the road crossing in Todmorden. Two checkpoints had passed in the
meantime.
By now my
body was finally cottoning on to the fact that all this food I was eating
needed to be delivered to the legs to sustain forward motion at a pace that’s
not too embarrassing. I powered my way (relatively speaking) uphill to CP12,
Lumbutts Church, 28.7mi. and then on to CP13, Erringden Grange, 31.7mi. I had
found my equilibrium at last.
A group had
just overtaken me and I wanted to see if they would take the detour via
Mytholmroyd with its excess descent and ascent. They kept having walking breaks
when I wanted to run, but I held back just enough at a discreet distance. Lo
and behold, they turned left downhill on their wild goose chase and I ploughed
straight ahead in the direction of Hoo Hole, where lo and behold for a second
time, I happened upon Mick Cottam. He mentioned something about a sore foot
that must have been holding him back on the steep descent. I overtook him but
he had me good and proper on the steep, oh so steep climb towards the final
checkpoint, CP14, Nab End Quarry, 34.5mi. He was soon gone to finish 4mins
ahead.
My new
target was now Nigel Ainsworth, who was running along the track as I climbed
towards it. I gave chase out of CP14, expecting to be on the losing end of a
tussle to the finish. However, this time it was my turn for a rare dose of
glory. My tank had something in it for a run all the way downhill to finish in
8:10, while Nigel must have been running on fumes at that point. He came in
just 2 minutes after me. Good effort Nigel after taking the long way ‘round via
Mytholmroyd.
As for Ian,
he was not ahead after all. He finished 55mins after me. There were navigation
issues on the turbine moor, which is not surprising given the fact that this
was his first attempt at this route. I had seen the warning signs with his
floundering after Sladen Fold. The Calderdale Hike does need to be reconnoitred
if you want to avoid frustrating walkabouts.
Up at the
front end, Kevin Hoult won in 5:10, Ian Symington finished 2nd in
5:14, John Bottomley was 3rd in 5:47 and Daniel Page came 4th
in 5:53.
First woman
and 9th overall was Nicky Spinks in 6:27. Second woman and 19th
overall was Karen Nash in 7:14.
Here’s the
best of the photos I took.
