Dufton Agricultural Show Hill Race. 26/8/06pike, n., & v.t. 1 Long wooden shaft with pointed steel or iron head. 2 Peaked top of hill (in names of hills in Lake District). 3 Large voracious freshwater fish notorious for ungentlemanly behaviour.
Mary and I spent a long weekend down in the Lake District visiting our superbly sporty pals Jane and Jim. Unbeknown to us they had a treat in store on the Saturday - taking us to Dufton Show which amongst other things boasts a 3 mile hill race up (then down) Dufton Pike. (We hadn't realised we were going to be racing so I'm afraid to say we were not sporting PRC colours - oh the shame.)
Mary, Peter and Jane in front of Dufton PikeThe weather was bright as we cycled the 8 miles there. The day was warm but with occasional downpours. We registered and warmed up trying to get an idea of the size of the hill about a mile and a half away that dominated our afternoon.
After a delayed start we set off and headed downhill through a field, over a couple of bridges, and over more rough ground, and about a mile into the race began to slow to a walk up the hill. I was in 6th place (possibly 35+ entries?) at this point but quickly dropped to 11th by the time we had got to the top of the hill. This is fell-running territory and the locals know all about hills. As I walked up the very steep ground, the sweat falling from my face - not in drops but in sheets - I was thinking that I'd get back a few places on the way back down.
At the summit we turned round a guy holding up a big flag on a pike. I believe there was scenery but saw none as the pace picked up and I charged after the folk ahead. Not only did I not catch up with the runners ahead but another one went past on the steep ground. The grass was short and there wasn't any heather as you might find north of the border, but my legs were too jellied from the ascent to go any faster. (I would also like to call upon the previous days' sporting and drinking activities to excuse my lacklustre performance, but in essence the other runners were just faster.) I passed Mary then Jane on my way down the hill and grunted hellos.
Well shoogled up reaching the bottom of the hill I regained some composure and picked up the pace, and the one place I had dropped descending, but was unable to catch the first woman (3 secs faster) who had gone past just before we reached the summit, increased her lead on the descent, but slowed on the last flatter mile back over the rough ground to the start/finish. She, Sally Newman(?), was not only faster but older as well. I felt well beaten, but it was a good small race. Mary came in a short time after, racing up the last field in a very determined way.
The determination paid off with Mary coming fourth woman and first f35~44, receiving an envelope at prizegiving. I came in just over 29mins - a pw for a 5k - second m40 but no prize.
After a change of clothes and a plate of unsophisticated food in the food tent, we went to examine the arts and crafts tent which proved the highlight of the day. Although there were some traditional vegetables laid out and judged, there was a large number of categories that boggled the mind. And there was quite the most surreal response from the local artisans.
best scarf?As we entered the tent there were some rather plain photos, pretty much what you might expect, but then there was a table of womens' scarves and head-squares. Not homemade, but purchased in a shop then displayed by the owners to be judged.
best dressed dollThat was just the start; I had to read some of the categories twice to make sure I wasn't mistaken: “best dressed doll” had a camp looking action man in a knitted football strip. Best cake by a male, 3 rock buns on a plate by a male. Best cushion of flowers in a saucer. Best flower arrangement depicting a Fairy Tale. Best edible necklace! And the “decorated footwear” section wasn't just painted wellies, but had a lady's evening shoe containing a floral arrangement, and other such unwearable delights.
best wrapped gift - note newspaper on right winning second prize
all five knitted squares (right) deservedly winning prizes
best cake by a male and 3 rock buns on a plate by a male
angry piggies?
decorated footwear
edible necklaces next to floral cushions in a saucer
the three bears are vividly brought to life in this floral rendition of the fairy taleFun seemed to be the common theme and it was great to see so many off-the-wall categories with the entrants rising to meet the challenge. It was brilliant - and in its unpretentious way outshone any show I've seen recently at the Edinburgh Festival. I really want to find out the categories for next year's event and submit a few exhibits myself. I'm not in quite the same hurry to compete in the hill race again though.
Outside, away from the sinking Titanic bouncy castle ride, a mounted fancy dress competition was being judged with the winner being a very dapper Little Miss Muffet complete with spider.
Many thanks to Jim and Jane for a memorable 5 days esp. swimming in the lakes despite the possible presence of large voracious fish.
Highly recommended.
No online results that we can find.
Report Peter Buchanan,
Photos Mary, Peter and Jim
