Race Report
This is What Mick Mc wrote about the Ian Hodgson Relay 2004 race.
Any Pictures anyone?
Life at the sharp end.
Ian Hodgson Mountain Relay. Leg 4. 4.5 miles. 2000’ ascent.
The weather forecast was for gales, heavy rain and a wind chill of – 6 on the tops as Jim Doherty and myself paced up and down the road out side the Kirkstone Inn, nervous and tense waiting for Ash and Steve to complete Leg 3. The leaders Borrowdale had passed through with a 10-minute lead and as the cloud descended Red Screes they arrived in 25th position to handover the ‘dibber’ to me and the map to Jim.
We set off into the mist and up Red Screes, a quick glance back before we disappeared saw a procession of teams chasing us. After an exausting climb we ‘dibbed’ at the checkpoint beside the small tarn near the summit, unfortunately losing three places on the climb. Once over the top we set off running, I tucked in behind Jim as he navigated us across the tops in near zero visibility. Even though it was very wet and boggy underfoot it was exhilarating running through the mist on a compass bearing, hearing other teams around you but not being able to see who or where they are.
Thanks to Jim’s navigating we hit the wall spot on, turned right to the checkpoint beside a pile of stones between Dove Crag and Harter Crag. From here we kept left of the tourist path and headed down a steep grassy decent, pursued by other teams, I kept slipping and falling on the wet grass, I even managed to fall into the stream as we cross halfway down. About 5 teams passed us as we went headlong down the slope, finally reaching the stony path in one piece. It’s now a long run-in on a treacherous path, we soon reach the farm lane and it was fantastic running in together, everyone clapping, our names called out over the Tannoy as we crossed the finish line at Sykeside campsite. We finished 34th out of 65 teams, a great day in the Lakes competing in a well organised event. Thanks to Jim and the whole team, please can I run again next year?
Mick Mcloughlin.
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