12/06/2016
Hardmoor's Rosedale Marathon is the fourth race of seven in the Hardmoor's 26,2 series. One of the things I do is get the route description and enlarge key directions so that I can read them with out my specs. Then I read the instructions as I mark p my map. I planned to do this job on Friday evening.
On Friday before the races all the competitors got an email saying that the route would have to be changed.
Sorry for the lateness of this email but I have had a massive problem we have had to try to remedy.
Unfortunately I underestimated the seriousness of running across the moors in bird nesting season which was pointing out to us only yesterday evening. It has meant that I have had to create three new races avoiding high moorland
We know you love the moors and that is part of the reason you come along to the Rosedale races, however we know you will understand and also want to protect the beautiful countryside and wildlife.
Now where some organisers may cancel/postpone the race or ignore the wildlife issue, not Jon and Shirley Steele. No, They go out and recce a brand new route that avoids the moors.
Later that evening the new route came through, It was a 14 is mile route for the half marathoners and more or less two laps for the marathon runners, with a shorter 10 km ish route.
I sat and adapted my route description and plotted the map.
On Saturday (day before race) there was another email.
Plan C
Sorry for all the emails but after careful consideration and a lot of deliberation we will be changing the route again so as not to go through the cow field. We don't know (and cannot find out) if the cows will be in the field tomorrow so rather than upset a farmer we will use a different route.
Another change, but a small one so I felt that I could risk it now.
Sunday
The forecast was overcast and as I drove up Sutton Bank the fog got thicker and at the top the fog was very thick indeed, but as I traveled the fog lifted but it remained overcast. When I got out of the car it was quite warm, so I left my hoody and change kit in the car and crossed the road to Hutton-le-hole village hall.
Lots of now familiar faces were gathering, registering, chatting and queuing for the loo.
Gill and Ali were here and there was the 2 Michaels, James. Nicole and Kelly for the marathon and Andy and Niel for the half.
The race start was delayed as Jon got all the marshalls in place and competitors filled the hall and the road as it was warm in the hall, chatting good naturedly awaiting the start. Soon nearly all of the half marathoners were registered and had joined us in the road.
About five to ten the half marathoners left the hall as us marathoners squeezed inside for the race briefing.
After the briefing we all gathered back out in the road, 4,3,2,1 go. Thats it we were off, running up the village past the free roaming Jeramy Kyle sheep (kids different colour to the parents). but soon we got to practice being British with the queue for the first gate.
And the second, and so it went. there ws a slight advantage of running the first section too quick as I got plenty of opportunity to recover.
As the space opened up, then so did the field, now I was being passed a fair bit and as we hit the first hill the gaps got bigger. There was a lot of passing at this point.
It doesnt look a big hill, but it felt it. Nicole and Kelly were storming up it.
From this point on it was just steady away, walk the ups, I could always run them the second time round. The terrain was mixed there was track, grass, mud and water. The route was basically three hills aflat section then two hills before doing it all again.
Although we were often in the valley bottom, the views were still beautiful. It was hot and humid, and at times it felt almost jungle-like. The first half matarthon runners were now catching up and passing us.
After the third climb we hit road and ran down into Low mill where Claire and Jonno were at the main checkpoint that we would pass through 4 times. First time we headed out along the river, the path was mainly nice and with just a few gentle rises, but with loads of gates. At this point we saw lots of other runners going in the opposite direction, both marathoners and half marathoners all running together all geeing each other along. the support was fab. I saw Gill and Ali, I was near the turn back point. At the turn point there was orange segments. wow they were nectar. this was now about 8 miles in. I turned and ran, I felt a bit stronger, knowing I was going back. Back through all the gates and to the checkpoint where the back markers for the marathon were, I was 3 miles ahead of them. I got a drink and some sweets before heading out of the village along the road.
The road was steadily climbing, enough to warrant a walk and a moment to enjoy my surroundings.
There was a mix of half and full marathon runners so I was not bothered by being passed. At the top of this hill Tony and Ann were waiting, marshaling and taking pics. The weather was still humid, it was quite hard work.
More road and more hills, but not for much longer, soon the route turned down a track.
The track led to a rough muddy section that I had run in the opposite direction. there were still runners coming in the opposite direction from the half marathon. Running through the woods on the muddy tracks I was being passed regularly, I had no idea if they were marathoners or half marathoners. At the bottom of the lane was a checkpoint, I was then back on road, but it was a bit of a climb.
Lovely views to enjoy whilst having a walk up a hill. I was now catching other runners.
It was a long hill and I can walk quite quick uphill.
Finally I went over the top and there was a lovely long run down. I saw the village sign for Hutton-le-hole. Must be near the second lap now.
I was right. I was directed back along those narrow many gated paths where there were queues less than 3 hours ago. now there was just a couple in blue, a fair bit ahead of me. At one point I stumbled but the nettles caught me, so that's ok.
There was no sign of me gaining on the couple in blue as I ran across the rough ground, but I wasn't too bothered there was still nearly 14 miles to go.
These gorgeous lambs just watched curiously as I stopped to take a pic.
The next field had horses in it. they were not to bothered by people running past.
Even when I was really close.
Across the stile there were more horses. so lovely and placid.
Down through a field of beautiful Cows, Belted Galloway cows. As we had all run through earlier in the day they were very close to the path. one was laid down and we all ran right past his nose, But now they had moved further away. (this pic is off the internet to show the type of cow)
Before long I was running in the woods and slipping and sliding on mud
There was lots of mud in the woods and I had to walk pars because of low branches and slippy mud and rocks, but it was cooler in the woods.
After a road section and a checkpoint I was out on the moor, no one around me, but I had passed the couple in blue and a couple of others some way back.
The views were lovely up here, it was very peaceful. I didn't mind being on my own. I knew where I was going and there was always the tape and marshals.
After the lane the ground was trickier and when I crossed a bridge I knew I had crossed it both directions last time but couldn't make sense of how. I was now back on a section where marathon leaders were running towards me, I let them pass on the narrow sections and held the gates at times. I saw Micheal at this point and wished him well. I liked seeing the front runners. a rare opportunity for someone of my pace. I turned off the track down the field. I could see Gill and Ali ahead of me from the lane, but now they had disappeared. I ran alone through the fields, up the grass hill and back down the road to Low mill and the checkpoint. I felt good, I was on my way back. I set off out on the out and back section, though all those gates, turn, back through all the gates back to the checkpoint where Gill, Ali and Jon were.
I refilled my bottle, drank some cola and got a few jelly beans.
Back up the long road to Tony's checkpoint, along the road, down the lane and back to the muddy trail. On the muddy trail I passed the back markers going in the opposite direction, I had gained another few miles. By now I was on my own again. I had seen these fungus on the first lap and decided to stop for a pic this time around.
Through the woods and back to the bridge. I ad ran down the steep muddy hill to the bridge now I was turning left. it made sense to me now. I ran along the river, through a wood. Finally it started to rain. Big fat raindrops cooling my skin, I ran down a lane to the last checkpoint. I couldnt believe I was here already. I was tired but I walked up the hill again as the heavens opened in a deluge. now I was cool, the rain ran sweat into my eyes stinging and making it difficult to see. I mopped my face with my buff and continued up the hill and then ran down into Hutton-le-hole this time going all the way to the village hall. As i approached the village hall my legs wanted to give in but i cold hear footsteps approaching fast behind, I pushed on aiming for the feather flags. There was the hall and Andy and Neil cheering me in taking pics.
I was sodden, but i had finished in under 6 hours. so I was very pleased.
In the hall waiting for the other runners I thanked Jon and Shirley and was pleased to finally meet Kelly and Jon. Kelly had set off at 5 am to complete the marathon in 9 hours. Kelly is visually impaired and Jon is her guide. What an inspiration.
Another race I highly recommend. Well organised, fab marshals and great camaraderie, great course and plenty to eat and drink all the way round.
