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.
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.
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.
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?
Race statistics and route taken by me.
(from the Garmin)
 |
| 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). |
First fell running injury in a year and a half. Is it time to switch to the roads?
 |
| Sore left ankle. |
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