Preston
Harriers Fell Section
:- fellblog
Langdale
Horseshoe 2005
Saturday,
October 8th, Langdale Horseshoe, AL, 14m / 4000’
English Championship Race.
The last long race in our championship
and only two Harriers were on the start line, are the long races getting too
tough for everyone? As it was also an English Championship race a large field
assembled on the bridge outside the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel. At 11am we charged
off along the narrow stony path towards the New Dungeon Ghyll with a lot of
bumping and barging and difficult running. We then turned up the steep rocky
path towards Stickle Tarn, hard going and unable to pass anyone it was a
horrible start to a race.
I was relieved to reach c.p. 1 on
Thunacar Knott and finally stretch my legs on the long descent across Martcrag
Moor to Stickle Gill. A short climb up Black Crags and a fast run to Angle Tarn
before climbing to c.p. 2 at Esk Hause. The route traverses on the West slopes
of Esk Pike on a very boggy and rock strewn trod to Ore Gap, not a lot of
running on this section.
I am starting to fade as we head into
the mist on the way to c.p. 3 on Bowfell and visibility is poor as we head to
Crinkle Crags. Here runners split up and go their own routes and a poor choice
can cost you a lot of time. John was just in front and he went over the top
while I followed the runners who traversed on the Eskdale side, the running was
good until we turned up left for the grassy climb to c.p. 4 on Long Top,
arriving just in front of John.
We continued together on the rocky but
fast descent towards Red Tarn and the last climb up Pike O’Blisco. Here the
rough underfoot conditions finally took its toll and I struggled to the top. The
final long descent was really difficult, slipping on the wet grass and tumbling
over rocky outcrops. John pulled away from me here as I struggled down to the
cattle grid on the Little Langdale Road and the last c.p. before the final
short, fast descent to the campsite and the short road run to the finish. I was
relieved to finally finish.
It was a very tough race with difficult
terrain to run over but it’s still a fantastic way to spend a Saturday.
Results,
1st. Rob Hope, P & B,
2. 08. 47
211th. John Griffiths,
3. 05. 57
226th.Michael Mcloughlin, 3.
07. 55
384 ran, 369 finished.
Mick.
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