The anticipated call to share transport from Pete Carter never came -
probably because he is training for mega-long events.
This was the day after the torrid mud of Mid Lancs cross country at
Lancaster, so three things had to be right on Sunday morning before I would set
off.
1 - Was it sunny? Yes, great day in prospect!
2 - Could I get out of bed without pain? - Yes!
3 - Could I run up & down stairs twice, without my thighs screaming,
forget it you fool? - Yes. So off I went.
The start was from Penistone Country Park on a bright, clear morning. A
number of junior races were underway, making securing a car parking place
difficult. In typical Woodhead organiser fashion all the youngsters received a
monster goody bag for completion.
The Splash was 7 miles with 1,200` of ascent. A last minute route change was
requested by English Nature, in the Ponden Valley. The route was across South
Dean Beck as in the Auld Lang Race race, with a descent into Ponden Clough and
jump into the waters of Ponden Clough Beck, to gain the upper slopes of Bracken
Hill.
The circuit of the valley head, on a good track with nowhere near as much mud
as Lancaster the day before, was hugely enjoyable and gave excellent views.
The legs felt the strain coming back up the steep slope after South Dean
Beck, and it felt almost Spring like on the run back across Haworth Moor.
290 ran, with three retirements. The race was won by the evergreen Ian Holmes
(Bingley v40) in 41:53. 2nd was Tim Austin (Dark Peak) in 43:25. 3rd, Dave Neill
(Staff Moorlands) in 44:14.
The ladies race was won by Natalie White (Bingley) in
49:01 - Natalie was 29th overall.
I came home in 61:22 (v40) and 156th. The other Harrier representative was
George Arnold (v60) in
73:36 and 258th.
A nice touch from the organisers saw the last finisher in 108:01, Anne Hewit
(Spectrum Striders) receive a huge selection box.
Steven Jackson
Thanks Steve for this good report.
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