Preston Harriers Fell Section :- fellblog        

buttermere

Report from Mick Mac.

Sun. May 8^th. Buttermere Sailbeck Horseshoe. AM. 9.4m / 4650’

Championship Race 4 of 12.

Four Harriers were in Buttermere for this popular and very tough Lakeland fell race. Heavy rain before the race had everyone kitted out expecting the worst but the sun broke through as the race started off up the steep road towards Newlands Pass. Races that start with a climb are always hard as you get carried along at to fast a pace that you pay for later.

After about 400m you leave the road, descending as you contour along the fell side to Swineside Gill at the bottom of the steep shoulder of Knott Rigg, a long line of runners ahead steadily climbing up the slope. I had started too quickly and began to lose places on the climb as my friendly rival from Bowland began to pull away. A welcome jog across the top to the first c.p on Ard Crags was followed by a very steep, rocky and slippery descent towards the c.p at the Quarry near Rigg Beck. Here you see the long line of runners struggling in single file up the side of Causey Pike, the longest and steepest climb in the race. I caught sight of John here before he shot up the fell like a mountain goat.

The climb was unrelenting and I was struggling badly as I reached the summit, our friend Wendy Dodds right behind me, which help to spur me on. It’s an undulating ridge run to the next c.p on Crag Hill, short rocky descents followed by short rocky climbs which was hard going and my blisters from the three peaks began to play up. After Crag Hill you finally get on a good grassy decent towards the final c.p on Whiteless Pike. Here I caught up with my Bowland rival and so began a mad race to the finish, all pain forgotten. I got the jump on him as I passed him on the climb but he was breathing down my neck as we went headlong down the steep slope, both of us throwing caution to the wind in our determination to win. A slight error my me on the decent allowed him to pull along side me as we entered the finishing field and he just piped me to the line. Except for the last descent I struggled most of the way around and never really got going, must remember not to get carried away at the start.

It was a very tough race, but all Lakeland races are tough, and my time was surprisingly good as was everyone else’s.

1^st.      Rob Jebb.     Bingley.     1.22.03.     New Record. (To be confirmed)

169^th.  John Griffith.                  1.55.18

194^th.  Steve Foster.                   1.59.51

215^th.  Mick Mcloughlin.           2.03.06

317^th.  Jim Doherty.                   2.22.12

374 started, 363 finished. 

P.S.

The reason so few Harriers ran was because the organiser failed to say in the race details there was an entry limit of 400 and consequently a lot of entries were returned as the limit was reached before the closing date. Lesson learned is to enter such races very early. Please note anyone doing Wasdale should be entered by now?

2. Jim signing autographs at the finish.

3. Mick completly shattered.

4. Steve full of confidence he hopped across the finish line.

5. John looking to fresh and happy after a very tough race.

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