Calderdale Hike 2010

Calderdale Hike – 36 miles circular

Why do I pick the hottest day of the year so far to try and once again improve on last year’s time? I really thought that I’d manage around 8 hours but the total lack of any supporting wind and weather conditions saw me plod back into Sowerby Cricket Ground at quarter to six! And this is how!.

Climbing away from Brearley I started to realise that this was to be a cloudless day and yes, in answer to the first marshall to ask at keighley road, I was feeling it already – straight into the Jelly babies and gels and a certain small round red waxed cheese and I felt ready for the climb out of Crimsworth Dean.


Over the top sighting Walshaw and blowing heavily I proved my lack of finesse once again by going flat on my back, covering myself in mud! with much hilarity in my group and a fine trophy mark for the rest of the day. Maintaining a steady jog towards, and out of, Widdop I was joined by Yvonne from West End Runners and then Nick Ham at Cant Clough and we made a great three for the return via Holme Chapel. If in doubt - follow Malcom Coles, proved a good adage down to the checkpoint, my adage then collapsed as I cannot keep up with him and he was last seen disappearing off towards Slate Pit.

The Ascent of Thieveley Pike at mile 18 will always be my nemesis but at one point I actually ground to a halt before finally making the checkpoint and then away on the 11 miles or so to Stoodley Pike. Passing Heald Top Farm, through the Slate Pit checkpoint and onto the stretch towards Foul Clough Road is perhaps the shabbiest part of the route and we took a wrong line resulting in an unnecessary climb before the tussocky descent from Trough Edge End saw me over again (but this time on the grassy slope) and then onto the checkpoint where the marshall kindly offered to hose me down. This may well have worked a treat as by now I both looked and possibly smelled like a warm horse.


Certainly was after the climb away from Dean Royd Bridge, up over and down to Lumbutts and then the last of the big climbs – my old mate Stoodley Pike. By now I’ve leant that apart from being generally slow on the flat and falling down on most descents; I’m also snail like up the hills as well – is there any hope?
Of course there is and the tarmac road from Shaw lane down the couple of miles to the ground allowed Nick and I to chat about our sport. Here I picked up loads of very valuable info and details of this mania we have for long distance jaunts. I’m sure we held Yvonne back and I’m convinced Nick is made of granite to complete the day as he did with his conditions being put to the tough test of a day in the hills but I’m sure he’ll soon be back in top form. I wish Yvonne great success in her Bob Graham later this year and thank her for her support today. From me, just once again a big thanks to all who start us off, help us through with much encouragement, and finish us with a meal at the end. I loved it, no matter what I may have said along the way!.

Wuthering Hike 2010

Wuthering Hike – 32 miles Haworth circular







Where, behind Keighley, the road,
Up to the heart of the moors
Between heath-clad showery hills
Runs, and colliers’ carts
Poach the deep ways coming down,
And a rough, grimed race have their homes –
There on its slope is built
The moorland town,. But the church
Stands on the crest of the hill,
Lonely and bleak; - at its side
The parsonage-house and the graves.

Matthew Arnold


Last year, I was full of trepidation at my first ultra marathon ever but this year I’m looking forward to the start of the season, the cameraderie and the sense of acheivement that comes with fagging around the hills all day. Now I know whats coming, the different highs and lows of a hill run “If you feel bad eat something” and ”No matter how bad you feel, you’ll soon get better” or even “Don’t panic if you get lost” – well it all happened on a day when I beat last years time by 40 minutes, finishing in 6.47.

At the off, it appeared as if there wasn’t going to be a cloud in the sky but half way to Top Withens the visibility was down to about 50 yards with a cool hill fog blowing into our faces, this stayed with us until we approached the Cant Clough area. One note of incredulity was my inability to keep the shorts on!, My descent over the top and down to the reservoir involved my lycra wear falling down – the moon rose early that morning, first time it would have been seen in such thick fog! – Glad the weather and a rhodedendron bush hid my modesty and hasty redress. All sorted by Widdop so I was presentable for the rest of the race!.

Today I felt determined to plod on up any gradient possible, only walking the steepest sections and had picked up time by Stoney Lane but I kicked a boulder and went head over ears; much bloodied of knee and ego I made it to the Mankinholes checkpoint in around 3 hours 40mins – odd that the last 12 miles would take another 3 hours but thats Stoodley Pike for me and that grinding hill up to Heptonstall.

Getting lost again in Heptonstall and on my way down to Horse Bridge annoyed me more than I can say but I made it to the top O` the stairs at around 6 hours. This time I was determined on a decent descent and, once through the last late snow drifts, passed Leeshaw Reservoir and on up to Penistone Hill. Took the path around the Hill and down towards with church with time on my schedule to spare.

Just as well really as, for some daft reason, I ended up down the car park behind Haworth and having to ascend to the school and the finish from the bottom of the cobbled street! Not what I’d anticipated but a success for my sub 7 hours target. I still wait too long before grabbing a bite, still look like a ghost when I get to the top of Stoodley Pike and look like a camel coming down into Hebden Bridge but you can’t have everything  so I’ll take my time improvement anyday. This is my favourite race of the year; perhaps because it was my first ultra ever but I suspect it’s more than that. The queue past Bronte Bridge, the historic dwelling, the sight of the Pike emerging round the corner of Stoney Lane, the relief at Top O’ the Stairs and the final appearance into t’village means i’ve made it. Once again a huge thanks to Brett and all at KCAC for helping me get from start to finish, well fed and watered and looking forward to next year.

Lyke Wake Race 2009

Lyke Wake Race - 42 miles Osmotherley to Ravenscar 11th July 2009

Lyke Wake Race ( from Osmotherley, across the moors to Ravenscar and the Sea!) started from the Sheepwash Carpark about a mile north of Osmotherley but the handicap start meant that I was away at 5.55am alone - again, the first 12 miles followed the Cleveland Way but at this time of day the temperature was 9 degrees and under a cloudless sky was just perfect.



The miles sped by ( must mention the new trail shoes - Brooks Cascadia 4 have been a revelation to me, a real armchair ride and not a blister or sore spot )



Eventually I had my first bad patch - the 13 to 17 mile section of disused train track on the tops above Rosedale was a long, long grind ( if you feel this bad , eat something on the go = Gel and Jelly Babies and water ) Eventually arrived at the checkpoint at the Lion Pub on a high moorland road and the bowl of rice pudding with peaches was most welcome as was the first bit of company I'd met that day!.



I've learnt not to stop at checkpoints otherwise I seize up and need a kick start! so straight on and now just follow the old straight track due east for about 20 miles! - across beautiful wastes of peat bogs, heather and cotton plants - interrupted by a few checkpoints but predominantly short stiff climbs and good long run offs.


Tried not to notice Fylingdales Moor in the haze, some 2 hours away yet, but felt so good that I just kept going and by the time I arrived at Eller Beck Checkpoint I knew I'd do better than my predicted 10 hours, so, once again straight off. Trouble!, got a bit lost in meandering through tough heather tracks and made a tough detour to top of hill and ... at last the sea!

Still a good way away yet but at least Fylingdales is behind us and yet another good run off to Jugger Howe the final checkpoint - Still on for hopefully sub 9 hours!. The last climb to the Radio Mast seemed to go on forever but as it arrived the whole of Robin Hoods Bay was laid out before me and an ancient pacer for a few runners pointed me to a shortcut through nettles and fields and down, down to the road for the final 1/2 mile. Pell Mell through the nettles and the field and onto the last home straight.



"You can do it!" a voice piped up "Bloody hope so I thought, 41 and a half miles into a 42 mile race" and I was through the gates at Raven Hall and breasting the tape at 8 hours 59 mins ... a close shave.


So, I still love the long trail, moorland stuff, I'm still a middle of the pack finisher, the fastest veteran was a sprightly 62 year old Keswick man who managed 6 hours 42 and came in 6th ( I was 30th) so it puts mine into context!.

Osmotherley Phoenix 2009

Osmotherley Phoenix - 33 miles North York Moors Round - 4th July 2009

The Osmotherley Phoenix kicked off as the village clock chimed 9.00am on a clear blue morning in this North Yorkshire Village and the pack of walkers and runners headed north on this route of three races - 17 mile, 26 mile or 33 mile - the last option was mine. The first 12 miles followed the Cleveland Way taking in woods ( where three of us got stung by wasps) and a skyline of the Northern Ridge of the North York Moors with panoramic views across the Vale of York and Teeside (where those without sunblock were already getting red). At the highpoint of the race, at half marathon distance the temperature was already into the 20's and more than one person had opted out of the longer race and I was left plodding along alone. This is why I do it - isolation in the middle of the moors with curlews and yep, Larks ascending made for a spectacular switch-back section down into the heart of the moors and half way round. At this point the Kit check took place and a quick lecture on fell running safety made sense of the heavy burden strapped round our shoulders and middle - I prefer the middle as I can't run with a sack on my back - I'm heavy enough. Miles 16 to 18 were possibly the worst of my running career to date - massive incline and blinding sun and heat in the high 20's made me stagger over the tops and the long run off which should have been a relief was most arduous on heather and broken ground. A runner who joined me at this point started to be sick, could keep nothing down (including my water bottle contents and last of jelly babies!) and we made a said parting at the penultimate checkpoint - me off on the last 10 miles and he into the St Johns Ambulance tent for a long rest and a shortcut back - a few awaited the sweeper bus here. The most southernley sweep of the Phoenix took us through fields and tracks and I was lucky to escape without a sheepdog bite as a pair of currs, loose in Lower Locker Farm caused havoc - the previous year, a few runners were nipped by the self same pair. The final climb to the top of Black Hambleton rewarded us with the spectacluar views once again of the Vale of York before a mad descent into the village of Osmotherley and the village Hall finishing line mercifully came in sight - thanks for putting a complimentary hose pipe up!!!. The Village Show was in full swing - saw the welly wanging competition but unfortunately missed the Ferrett Roulette?. Must get quicker than 7.57 next year ...

Calderdale Hike 2009

Calderdale Hike 2009 - 36 miles of Pennine Trails

So, by now you've worked out that i'm taken by the long, slow, hilly stuff yet this, the third race in the Vasque series is only classed as being of "medium" length - the longer routes start coming within the next few weeks starting with the Fellsman 61 miler but fear not; no report will be forthcoming this year!. The calderdale starts at Sowerby Bridge and we pad out of the cricket ground as the clock struck nine on a clear blue morning complete with survival bag, map, compass, waterproofs and other paraphenalia (there are walkers doing this route today with even bigger rucksacks but they left three hours earlier, hopefully most will be overtaken!) and within four miles we've dipped into the valley and up onto the moors to the second checkpoint on a wind blown Crow Hill Nook.


The views are spectacular, as they will be all day, but over my left shoulder I see Stoodley Pike in the near distance yet it is the location of checkpoint 13 - some 30 miles into the race! So, we steer away for the next seven hours or so until we're back under its shadow much later (for me) in the afternoon.

After many ups and downs of moors and reservoirs we're at the far extremity of the race and my steady pack of five becomes four as we lose a runner with cramp in both calves, he's last seen limping down towards Holme Chapel and he's done 18 miles (Well done Gavin!, great to see you got to the finish) . The steepest climb in the race now takes us straight up the face of Thieveley Pike, some 450m up from the valley floor to checkpoint 8 where we stuff bananas and copious amounts of water, this is a proper climb but the worst is over and we plod away along the skyline back homewards.


In the far, far distance Stoodley Pike, now a mere 11 miles ahead of us, looks very small but we're heading directly towards it and even though sometimes we are reduced to a shuffle we are still moving. The consensus has been to keep going without sitting at the checkpoints, we all learned from the previous race that time is lost and knees do stiffen if you remain still for any length of time and actually I'm not sure that I'd be able to get up.


On the fast descent to the village of Lumbutts our gang is strung out and I pause to pick up a lost tally card! someones about to be disqualified at the next checkpoint! and as I head into the church yard to have my own tally stamped, one of our troop is emptying his rucksack looking for his lost tally, with the promise of a "good drink" he gratefully receives my find and we're away again. After Stoodley, we're now on the final descent passed Withins Clough reservoir - very dusty, peat stained and frankly exhausted but the final push up to the last checkpoint is a feat of endurance, rewarded by a graceful tarmac road meandering downhill into Sowerby and the cricket ground. As we appear into the field a motley group in the ground applauds and we've done it - where's the bowl of chili and the mug of tea!. Must be getting better at this as I've stuck with the Calderdale fell runners all day and the cameraderie has been great ..and ... we never got lost once!, the icing on the cake being that they haven't yet taken down the flags although I have missed the awards ceremony by an hour or so, oh and its 8 hours 25 since I left the ground this morning!. These races cost about a tenner each, are fully supported by such helpful volunteers and marshalls, St Johns Ambulance staff and the Mountain Rescue teams that everyone is in very capable hands, if nowt else they are "a grand day out!" .

Wuthering Hike 2009

Wuthering Hike – Haworth Hobble – 32 miles of pennine trails / roads with 4400ft of ascent/ descent.

Why am I on a start line at 8.00am fully packed with map / compass and waterproofs on a cold grey morning in Haworth with the ultramarathon fraternity? – I don’t belong here, have I trained enough, am I able to finish, will I live through the day?. Brett the organiser from Keighley & Craven A C sends us off through the Vasque series start flags opposite The Fleece Pub with a casual “off you go then” and we’re away up the cobbled street of Haworth out onto the moors towards Top Withens; the ruined farmstead where heathcliffe was supposed to hang out the upper lattice windows most winter evenings howling “Cathy!” into the darkness. I’m howling now as the quads complain and we`re only a few miles up, with the first watercheck 7 miles distant and a screaming gale into our faces keeping us upright.

The pennine way snakes away and we’re Lancashire bound on a mixture of calf- deep peat and stone slabs before a great tarmac stretch to the Widdop reservoir water stop and then more climbing of stoney roads over the top to Cam reservoir and onto checkpoint 2 near Burnley before heading south and, for a yorkshireman thankfully back east.

The track climbs the road before turning downhill through a mire of a field and then the very welcome hotdog- providing checkpoint 3 with the first of the teas on offer before a causeway full of rocks and cow muck heads slowly downhill towards Todmorden thro a typically west yorkshire setting of high walls, interminable ginnels and back streets. These are suicidal descents down stone flagstone stairs but once in the valley bottom the “grass wall” (sorry field) in front of us signifies the start of the 400m climb through the tiny village of mankinholes (checkpoint and hot cross buns / jam doughnuts) and onwards and upwards what seems like step ladders to Stoodley Pike – a huge dark monument that’s been on everyones horizon for the last ten miles or so. This climb is so steep I can barely breathe and am unable to drink water for gasping “only a half marathon to go now” i’m reliably informed before it’s down from Stoodley Pike. I now look like the mummy – so stiff legged with cramp that the steep downhill rocky track behind callis wood into Hebden Bridge finally does for me and I shuffle back up a cruel set of stone steps up into the village of Heptonstall – getting lost doesn’t help in t’village! Before it’s down to the penultimate checkpoint at Horse Bridge and then off up the final 8 miles of hill aiming for the aptly named Top o’ The Stairs. This is the final definite climb that goes ever on and on but miraculously I’m at the top and with Leeshaw reservoir bathed in sunlight in front of me I leg the mile or so downhill with the end in sight! – No wait, yes it’s another hill and i’m back to the shuffle. Keep pushing Amanda says, bugger off! I think and shake an imaginary fist at her, finally turning right across Pennine Hill then back down towards Haworth.

Lo! Haworth church in sight and i’m across the heather round the graveyard and down the cobbled street –frightening the tourists with our wild men appearance - we manage a good dash towards the community centre to cross the line... I’m chatting casually with the marshall before realising I have to go into the centre to confirm my return and finishing time!

I’m shot to pieces and hurting everywhere but its over and I dive into the compimentary bowl of stew at the end. Even though the winner finished this in 4.13, my Garmin says 7.24 but I`ve just completed my Everest and met some pretty great people along the way. I’ve loved it and all thanks to Brett and the crew of Keighley and Craven A.C. for organising and marshalling a great event. I’ve done enough to get round but you can’t blag a good time and its a big reality check for me to see what it takes to be good at this stuff. Come on over with me to the Dark Side! Join the Ultramarathon trail runners – you know you want to.