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2007 FELL CHAMPIONSHIP.

Edale Skyline   Sunday March 18th Report by Mick Mack. No pictures available, so I Blue Petered them.

Edale Skyline. AL. 21m/4500’. 18.3.07.

Third race in our championship and the first long but only three Harriers managed to get an entry as the race filled up very quickly to the maximum of 500 runners. It was an early start as we headed to Edale in the Peak District and the weather forecast wasn’t looking too favourable. We arrived, parked in the muddy field and negotiated the organised chaos which was registration before getting ready and walking to the start.

Everyone was clad from head to foot........

Everyone was clad from head to foot ready for the expected bad weather as the mass of runners headed up the zigzags to the aptly named Ringing Roger. Steve had disappeared over the hill while Karen and I ran more or less together. When we reached the check point the weather kicked in with a very cold gale force wind which almost blew you off your feet and it continued to batter us as we raced across the edge of the Kinder Plateau before dropping down and heading to Win Hill, the next check point. The running was good up to here but after leaving Win Hill the first storm broke with loud thunder and ferocious hail stones which made running almost impossible. It was a relief to reach the valley and the check point in Hope. A short road section and we began the climb to the next c.p. on Lose Hill where again we were hampered by the high wind and driving snow. From here we headed west into the storm where the wind driven snow made for very difficult running, but the worst was to come as we reached the top of Mam Tor and felt the full force of the wind and snow and many called it a day here it was that bad.

still being battered by the wind........

We persevered on along Rushup Edge still being battered by the wind and were reduced to walking through the bogs until we reached Brown Knoll where again a great hail storm sweep in making it very difficult to make forward motion and it took ages to reach the c.p at Jacob’s Ladder and I was freezing. Karen had forged ahead, being more aerodynamic, as we climbed up onto Kinder. The wind helped to push us along to the c.p. at Grindslow but being so knackered it mostly blew us off course. At Grindslow the marshal said we had two miles to go so I tried to pick up the pace on the way to the last c.p. back at Ringing Roger. It turned out to be a bloody long two miles and I was completely done in when we finally reached the c.p. The run in was back down the zigzags, which was hard going on knackered legs, but it was a great relief to finally finish a grueling fell race in horrendous weather, where lots of runners dropped out. Well done everyone who completed the course.  I know we had it rough but spare a thought for the marshals who were out in the foul weather all day.

Our 3 heroes at the end, Karen in the middle looking decidedly more aerodynamic than Mick.

Results

418 started.

388 finished.  

Further note from Karen

Further note from Steve B

if you go dak peak web site look at skyline you will find results and pics

Dark Peak Link

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Lots of fell runners break away from their original running clubs, mainly because they have no interest in track & field, fell running being their main interest. The fell running section of our club decided to have their own website, probably for the same reason. Now a V70, George Arnold is our oldest active fell runner. There are a few more of us close behind! One of our top female road runners, whilst marshalling recently at Chipping Show Fell Race commented on just how friendly fell runners are.