Saturday 25 June 2011

Durham Dales Challenge 30m 2011

I headed off to Wolsingham for this Long Distance Walking Association (LDWA) event and picked up Sue Jennings on the way. We got there and chatted to other runners and met Joan Reeves at the start who was also doing the 30m route.
We started off running through Wolsingham and then straight up a big hill. We took it nice and easy and reached the first self clip at about 2.5m. This was the point where the 16m and 30m routes split and it was clear that most people were doing the 16m. We set off across the moor with nobody else in sight and it continued like that for a long way ...
We were running into a breeze and Sue was starting to struggle especially on the uphills of which there were quite a few. We reached Hamsterley Forest, which seemed full of flies. Climbed our way out and back onto the moors again. Sue was really struggling at this stage and at 10m she decided to pull out at the next checkpoint at 11.5m. She had also developed a dodgy stomach. I ran on to the checkpoint to warn them there would be a dropout. While we were waiting for her a car arrived asking if there were any people dropping out so the driver waited and then took Sue all the way home, which was very good of him.
I set off towards Middleton-in-Tessdale hoping to pick up the time a bit. It wasn't that easy, running by the River Tees was just lovely, but there was lots of mud and steps so progress was slow. Made it to the Middleton check point in about 4hr 15min. They had lovely sandwiches, cake and tea.
Set off again and the route followed a stream (uphill) and made it to the next checkpoint where we were presented with a choice, follow the windy road upwards or go straight up. I chose straight up. I think it was quicker.
Then I made a navigational error. I hadn't been able to work out this section beforehand. I had put the route on the Garmin and that worked well most of the time, but I knew not to rely on it here. I saw walkers ahead going down the left hand side of a stream and the instructions seemed to say go right (they did but I was taking that decision too early) so I went down the right. I ended up climbing through heather and the couldn't find any way over a wall, so I had to negotiate a steep descent to the steam - I slid down on my bottom.
Back on track and another big climb, past a reservoir and seeing some fantastic views - it looked sunny in the distance. Whilst on the moors it always seemed cloudy and dull, but everywhere else it seemed sunny!
After the next checkpoint (more fantastic food) we had to find a shooting butt with the number 4 inside of it. I never found it, but luckily some walkers pointed me in the right direction.
Finally made it to the last manned checkpoint (where they had quiche :-) ), past the elephant trees (they look like two elephants from the valley) and down into the valley towards Wolsingham. Finally made it back in 8hr 14 ! A long time on my feet. Joan Reeves had had a great run and came in with 7hrs 37 :-)
Then it was the usual LDWA two course meal All that food and the race for just a tenner!
A lovely day, but far from easy.