Wardle Skyline 2012

When I ran this event last year it was, I think, my first fell race. In an April heat wave it was a tough but outstanding event. I finished in a modest 125th place with a time of 1:10:19. A grand race early in the calendar which I was looking forward to returning to on Saturday 14 April.

Organised by Rochdale Harriers the route starts and finishes in Wardle village square with the command centre in the Scout hut (a rather grand stone hut). Covering a smidge under seven miles the route goes out onto the fells in a large clockwise circuit of Watergrove Reservoir taking in Brown Wardle Hill, Rough Hill and finally Crook Hill. Just as you think your almost finished there is another short ascent after the turn in Shore.

Once again I had the company of my mother, niece and nephew as I headed to Wardle on race afternoon. Niece Olivia was assigned to the role of photographer. 


The weather was pretty poor. It had been raining heavily for several days so conditions were likely to be sticky. I was still suffering with my ankle which i'd turned running Midgley Moor and had it taped up. It wouldn't be a race if I didn't have a few excuses in the bank.


Pre-race proceedings were uneventful. I handed over my £5 at registration and pinned my number to my vest. Kitted up and warmed up. 

Ready for the off.

I took my place in the inevitable queue at the toilet. Found the gathering Saddleworth Runners of which there were a good number. Then waited for the start.

Assembling in the square.

Quite a turn out with over two hundred runners waiting for the call to the start line (just around to the left beyond the white camper).

Start line - Sean Willis in Saddleworth colours finished fifth.

The first section along the cobbled road to the reservoir was uneven and tricky underfoot. Tricky by road standards obviously. A short tarmac section below the reservoir followed then it was onto the rough stuff. Low level pasture to begin with followed by a steep ascent to the open pasture of Brown Wardle. The white tee-shirt of the leader already some way off in the distance. 


I had a plan to push hard at the beginning to clear any bottle necks and then take the ascents steadily. This worked out well and I fell in behind Jon, a fellow Saddleworth runner who I knew was quicker then me. The course was remarkably good underfoot. I ran rather than walked most of the steep ascents and traded positions with Jon several times.


Brief descents followed the tops of Brown Wardle and Rough Hill on an otherwise steady ascent for much of the first two thirds of the route. Feeling good I took Jon after Rough Hill enjoying the competition with him. He took his place back on the long descent into Shore and I was unable to stick on his heels. I lost ground to a couple of other quicker descenders. 


Reaching the cobbled road into Shore it is a right turn for the final ascent. Only short and not too steep but late in the race it can hardly come unnoticed. Having started with a target time of 1:05 I began to think sub one hour might be possible. I pushed hard but as the church spire came into view and I took a look at the watch I wrote that off as hope over reality. I tried to overtake an older chap in blue who had come past me earlier on the cobbles into Shore but he finished well. On the final run to the line I lifted my knees and smiled happily (grimaced maybe) for a sprint finish.

Finished.

My result? A personally satisfying 71st place in an official time of 1:01:19 taking exactly nine minutes off last year's time. Under the hour next year.

I seriously enjoyed this race. An enjoyable runnable route with great views. It was once again very well organised and a credit to Rochdale Harriers. A good turn out always helps the atmosphere. There were an amazing 19 Saddleworth Runners by my count out of 203 runners. The company, encouragement and rivalry of club mates are great incentives to run quickly.

Shaun and Howard giving out finish line encouragement.

Next up - Saddleworth's Cake Race on 5 May. Similar to Wardle but better and not one to miss.

Midgley Moor Fell Race 2012

MIDGLEY MOOR FELL RACE 2012

Second fell race of the season took place yesterday near Booth (near Mytholmroyd) up in the Calder Valley. This was my first time racing Midgley Moor. A well organised event staged by Calder Valley Fell Runners. A fixture this season in both the Saddleworth Runners Club Championship and the Area Fell Race Grand Prix. I joined a 20 strong Saddleworth contingent at registration in Booth Cricket Club. A very good Saddleworth turn out considering 131 runners would start. It was a cool but dry morning in contrast to the recent hot spell. Good conditions looked likely.


Race statistics and route taken by me.
(from the Garmin)

   

 Starting from the bottom corner of the field opposite Dean House Farm the first section was a steep ascent through fields to farm buildings at the edge of the open moors. I took it steady but ran it all taking my own line.

Starting ascent.

There was a bottle neck at the top of the first field and a queue at the stile further on. Aren't we civilised waiting in line at a stile bearing in mind it was a race. Once on the open moors it was a steady ascent to Crow Hill (checkpoint one) and the trig point (checkpoint two) beyond. I fell in line with Charlie and Nicky. Mark was ahead but insight. I felt I was in my natural position in the racing order given my present fitness. I thought I saw Sean in the distance but it was probably wishful thinking.


There was little need to route find early on as I followed the line of runners ahead following the locals in red and white hoops in the hope they would lead me along the shortest and/or quickest lines. The heather hereabouts was low or had been burned back. I kept up a steady pace and overtook Charlie and Nicky. From the trig I took the path, along with all but two other's within sight, around the edge of the moors rather than the direct line towards the third checkpoint. Looking at the map post race there is a much shorter route which could be quicker depending on the heather. Sticking to the path I picked up the pace and took a few places along the gentle descent between the moors of Wadsworth and Midgley. It was boggy in parts and had my shoe sucked off my foot stepping in one patch of mud. 


At the crossroads of two tracks (checkpoint three) at the Northern edge of the moor the route descended through Hough Green and Dean Green to the road below. I felt great and made up several places attacking the descent which was a steady and non-technical affair. At Spa Wood (checkpoint four) it was a steep ascent over grassed slopes to rejoin the moor. It was walking steep. I had my eye on Mark ahead on whom I was closing and an occasional look back confirmed Nicky was hot on my heels. 


At Ferney Lee I again followed those ahead taking the track to the left along the wall. Another more direct route might have been taken having studied the map since. The field corner on the edge of the moor (checkpoint five) marked the turn. Roughly half distance to the final checkpoint the path ran out and the heather had to be hurdled. Mark and I were now running side by side. The outbound route was rejoined at the stile above the farm buildings (checkpoint six). Just beyond which the finish came into view along with the steep descent. Mark was just behind and I was up for the sprint finish. Entering the last field I turned my ankle badly and had to limp home. A great welcome and much cheering and encouragement from fellow Saddleworth Runners was very much appreciated.

Hobbling over the finish line.

Time: 53:13
Position: 59th of 127 finishers, 6th Saddleworth Runner.
(results on the website)


Well done Saddleworth. Have a look at yourselves finishing on picasaweb.

The Saddleworth Runners of the day (two missing).

This was a well organised race and the weather gods were good to us with conditions good for fast running. A new record time of 35:11 was posted by winner Karl Gray. An interesting aspect of this race is the checkpoint format with scope for direct lines to be taken for possible gains. No doubt a good knowledge of the area would be of benefit. Might be worth a recce for next year.

First fell running injury in a year and a half. Is it time to switch to the roads?

Sore left ankle.