Paintedrunner, INVINCIBLE until proven otherwise: GBUltras’ Pennine Barrier 50 mile race 04/05/2024

GBUltras’ Pennine Barrier 50 mile race 04/05/2024

When Ann suggested this race because she liked the medal, we had no idea of the challenge ahead. We entered and it soon became a monster in our minds. Everything we did was as a lead up to this race, including the Hardmoors 55 in March and the Dales Traverse (for me) in April. We recced the start and walk/jogged the 3 peaks. These activities only served to scare us more about the challenge ahead, but apparently, if it doesn’t challenge you, it wont change you said some bloke called Fred Devito.

The race starts in Malham at 6 am. As Malham is in the middle of nowhere we booked the youth hostel and a pub tea at the Buck Inn. Ann’s husband, Terry, drove us to Malham on Friday and would be back to pick us up on Saturday night.

We registered at Malham show field and collected our t shirts which we had ordered in advance.

Start line pics

The view from our. Room at the youth hostel was nice. The room was warm though. We opened the window to air it whilst we went for tea.

We discussed our aims over tea. CP 5 closure at 7:40 pm meant that we should hopefully get back over Fountains Fell before dark and hopefully Malham Tarn

Tea was massive, I had been eating well all day and could not quite manage to finish my fish and chip meal.

An early night in the still warm room gave us as much rest as possible with people running in the corridors and shouting. The 4 am alarm came round too soon. I was still full and struggled to eat my rice pudding and banana. I did not manage to eat any flapjack.

We got dressed and headed to the show ground. It was very busy with cars driving in and runners milling around.

We collected out trackers and stood in the loo queue

Time for a couple of start line pics.

We were called to start, shortly before 6 am. Now that everyone was gathered at the start line we cpould see how crowded it was. We chatted to other competitors and were suddenly off.

We ran through the village and headed to Malham Cove, filling the quiet road. We queued for the gate leading to the trail to the cove. There was a long line of runners ahead.

As we approached the cove and the steps we came to a halt. Lots of runners took the opportunity to remove their jackets. There was a light drizzle but it did not feel too bad when working hard. I was glad of starting cold.

I thought I was right at the back. I was struggling a bit, as I often do at the start. I was surprised to see that there were a fair few behind.

The 80 m climb up the steps was slow, but my legs and lungs were burning.

We spread out to cross the limestone pavement that was slippery in the damp air so I took it steady. Lots of people passed me by but I soon caught up as we queued to go up the gully.

At the top, there was a double stile, useful to get more people over quickly and finally a nice section of running. We arrived at a road and turned right. This was an odd out and back section, undulating but not hilly. The faster runners were already heading past the Tarn. I quite enjoyed this section, my breathing settled and I finally settled in to the run. I saw Ann heading the other way, slightly ahead of me.

The mist shrouded landscape was timeless.

I walked past the cattle. I know they willl see hundreds of people a day, but I am still wary.

Time for fuel. I got out a gel and pulled the top, the whole pack opened up praying me with sticky goo.

I waited at the education centre at Malham Tarn to use the loo. Always worth a wait rather than a wild wee. Feeling more comfortable I ran down the road to catch back up to the runners I had been near before I stopped. I didnt catch them but had them in sight all the way up the first big climb of the day, Fountains Fell (668m). Last time I was there it was snowing and I left a snowman on the cairn. The one I could only just see through the swirling mist. I had caught up with Ann. We descended together.

The descent was a muddy trail but it headed to a 1.5 mile stretch of road. I had been getting cold on Fountains so put my coat on ready for the next climb. We reached the checkpoint 1 hour 10 min before cut off. I felt a bit better now, It was tough but I was doing ok. I did not need a water refill, but took some snacks, cheese and a mini mars bar and set off again. I just had to keep that 1 hour and a bit gap through out the race.

I found Pen-Y-Ghent (684m) tough, the scramble at the top was slippery from muddy feet. The top was cold and misty but busy with runners and walkers.

The descent was steady but busy, working my way through the walkers. Cold wet, hoods up but most people were in good spirits. I was passed by the more confident descenders but I was not dispirited, I was making good progress. I chatted with several others along the way. It was good to know that this was a longish section to Whernside including Whitber Hill (427m).

Finally I was below the mist and there was a bit of a view but the mist obscured the distant Ingleborough. It was good to finally see Ribblehead Viaduct in the distance. Checkpoint 2 11:35 am, nearly 2 hours ahead of cut off. Going well. I topped up both bottles, one with water one with squash, more cheese and a biscuit and I was off again. it was too chilly to be hanging around.

The higher up I got the mistier and wetter it was, cold and wet and moving slowly amongst the queue of folk making there way to the summit of Whernside (736m), the biggest of the climbs. Old, Young and big and small dogs, most going up and a few coming down. Heads down, hoods up and occasionally letting me by. I was glad to reach the top.

The descent was tricky, but the worst was to come. Again in a queue of people all trying to get down the path of uneven steps.

Finally down there was an ice cream van, I was tempted, but the checkpoint was close. A nice run now between cattlegrids. Steadily over those. I refilled my bottles with high five. Opted not to join the long loo queue and set off for Ingleborough.

The climb was steady at first and then steep steps that went on and on, no sign of the top in the mist. Part way a marshal said that we did not need to go to the trig as the weather was so bad up there, pouring down windy and hardly any visibility. I was so relieved, its like a moonscape up there and can be very disorientating. Although I would have just followed the line on my watch which I knew was accurate from the recce a few weeks ago. Now the descent I had been dreading all day, it was awe full 3 weeks ago and much drier. I knew not to go direct but to take the path to the right. It looked muddy but was actually quite rocky. I skirted around the Mountain rescuers who were dealing with an incident. Hope that person is ok.

From here the route got easier going into Horton in Ribblesdale, its just a long way to the station.

No pictures from these sections as it was cold and wet and I was just fixed on making relentless forward motion as I was feeling the effort in my legs now.

At Horton in Ribblesdale station I resisted the temptation to play the Lithophone in the waiting room, well actually, the door was shut so I didn't go in. I crossed the tracks and headed down to checkpoint 4 in the village, checked in, had some salted potatoes, and a ginger biscuit and headed to the public toilets. From there it was more climbing up to the shoulder of Pen-Y-Ghent. Tired legs making the climb an arduous slog. The gate in the wall was such a welcome sight, turn right and homeward bound at last. One runner headed left, we called him back. Easy done in the heavy mist when tired. I enjoyed the mainly downhill section back to checkpoint which was now checkpoint 5, 5:30 pm, 2 hours 10 min ahead of cut off. I was tired but still going well.

Not out of the mist long, well for 1.5 miles climbing on the road, the ascent of Fountains fell. I had been warned it was horrid, and it was. Wet, muddy slippery grass, the top of the fell cloaked in mist I toiled upwards with Jason, we chatted, we had been together on and off since Ingleborough. he was faster than me on descents and I would catch up on the ups. He had been talking to Ann and said she was doing ok and was just behind. We finally climbed the stile at the top with great relief. We stayed together a bit longer and he was off, so confident on the downs. I made my way safely off the fell. It was so good to see Malham Tarn in the distance as I got below the mist. There were lots of runners around, running and walking, ticking the miles off. I passed some, some passed me, everyone was ticking off the features.

The Spider at Malham Tarn was actually a pleasing sight. It was about 12 hours since I had passed in the opposite direction.

The descent into the gully where I had queued that morning was treacherous, wet muddy feet had made the limestone so slippery. I took my time , picking out the flattest surfaces to commit my weight to. Eventually after what felt forever I was back at the top of Malham Cove. the route now went left avoiding the pavement. I could see the finish in the distance as the route led way from it.

The route was nice though, after a short incline it was down lanes and fields to a road, crossing the road I headed to Janets Foss.

It was still daylight I was going to get back without using my head torch. There was more slippery limestone to negotiate and then I was by the waterfall, which was so pretty and clear, I could see why people like to dip in it.

I then just had to follow the river back to Malham village. It was good path but I was tired now, so I ran and walked it. Almost back I stopped and took off my soggy rain coat and headband and stuffed it into my pack ready for my finish photo in my club vest. A few people passed me in these last few metered but I was done in and could give no more. Well done to them for being strong to the end.

Terry had arrived before the 10 pm arranged time and was waiting before the finish.

I was so glad to cross the line and receive my Medal.

I finished at 8:55 pm as the daylight was fading. 14:54:36