Wuthering Hike 31 Miles on Yorkshire/Lancashire Border 10/03/07
Ref Lasswade for a starter.
We are Porty Runners
Faster than most
Unfortunately Buchanan decided to coast
The women can boast but the men have to yell “WE'VE LOST”Well done to our winners and other runners at Lasswade especially all who got a PB and all who ran.
I see Ben Kemp works in a litigation dept. How do you know it is a cold morning? The lawyers have their hands in their own pockets.
Aye, I was running on the 10th March. My organisation skills were at there best again. Managed to book accommodation for the Friday night at the correct date (that is an improvement) in Burnley but got up 10 mins late on the Sat morning. Thought it would only take 30 mins to drive to the start but it took 50 mins. I presumed I was on a country road and could do 60 mph but it was deemed urban and mostly 30 or 40 mph. On top of that there was a road blocked in Haworth and a detour required and I arrived just after 8 am with the race due to start. The runners had not started as I drove past them to find a car parking space. You just need to keep calm and make sure one has everything required for 5 plus hours in the hills. Turned my back and got changed, it was freezing and windy with the race starting high up on a moor. Did not bother shorts or my Porty Vest as I knew I was going to have to break a few rules so keep reading Ben as I need a good defence lawyer. Decided to ram on the waterproof kit as it would save me carrying it and had the map, compass, whistle everything in order except I was required to register. I knew my race number was 103. Health & Safety I know it is important but as I turned to see the state of play everybody had gone and I did not have a clue about the course so I just set off to catch them while still in sight. Thought the marshals would realise what might have happened. I also made a decision that I would always run with somebody just in case.
The start of the course was the worst bit. Over this Moor at 8 on a Sat morning, rain and wind in the face, this motorway of a surface created by paving stones. Thankfully that only lasted about 1.5 miles then it was more of a trail race with every type of surface from mud, tussocks, stones, steps, tarmac, shale etc. I had only run twice in the previous 3 weeks after a 35 mile race due to being tired and I performed well. Kept to the plan to run with people and ran with Eoin Phelan from the Rotherham 50 miler 2 years ago, plus there was about 10 others for most of the way until about 4 miles to go and once I knew where I was, just pushed on from there to finish 70th out of about 250 in a time of 5.12.23 which I was pleased with. There is 4200ft of ascent/descent on the course. The best way to describe the course is the 7 Hills Race plus a X Country Race with the reservoirs of the Pentlands thrown in. Some lovely traditional Yorkshire streets to run up with traditional pubs, many stiles etc. The weather turned to sun with the wind at the back for last 7 miles.
Above is Hebden Bridge, seemingly Hebden means packhorse. You run down into from the hills then up the other side of the valley. Not as steep as the likes of Strathyre but about 6 climbs on the route and with 31 miles you do feel it.
Its okay Ben I got away with my illegal act. At the second last drinks station one marshal said “I heard you had retired”. I just looked sheepish. At the finish I immediately told the official what had happened with the journey etc, obviously with a bit of butter on top and he said “you did cause us a problem, don’t do it again, but I understand." I thanked him very much.
Graham Henry
Ned Department. Photos courtesy of Theft by Finding.
