HALF TOUR OF PENDLE
Report from Mick Mac. (Any Pictures?)
Half Tour of Pendle 9m / 2250’ Sat 5th March
After last weekend's tough short race at Bleasdale four harriers went to Barley for this tough medium race. It was chilly, with snow on Pendle as 181 runners ran out the track towards Lower Odgen Reservoir, all four harriers closely packed. Once off the track it’s the long climb towards the summit, most runners reduced to walking pace, until the last section where the pace quickens on the final climb up to the trig point and the strong cross wind batters you as you head across the top to c.p 1 at the wall. With Colin Shuttleworth’s encouragement ringing in my ears I chased the runners in front across the snow-covered hillside towards Ogden Clough. On the other side and over the stile you pick up the path for the fast decent, narrow and treacherous at first but finally on to the wide grassy track down to Nick O’Pendle. Fantastic descending at speed to c.p 2 where you turn and contour around the Fell side towards Churn Clough Reservoir, along the wide track to c.p 3 at the bottom of Bank Hill. After passing through the gate it’s head down for the long energy sapping slog up the hill on to Spence Moor. As the gradient eases you begin jogging across the moor until you reach the very steep and slippery descent into Ogden Clough and c.p 4. It takes all the energy you have left for the short climb on the other side and as you reach the wall you can pick up speed on the path as you follow the wall to c.p 5. From here it’s a mad dash to the finish, down hill at first, then across some boggy fields and the final very fast descent to the finish line. Another well-organised and excellent fell race, I had a great run and really enjoyed the experience.
Results:
1st Ian Holmes. Bingley. 1:06:08
67th Ash Nixon. 1:26:03
68th Steve Forster. 1:26:24
84th Mick Mcloughlin. 1:29:45
113th Pete Carter 1:35:00
181 started, 179 finished.
Full results at www.clayton-le-moors-harriers.co.uk
Mick.