Osmotherley Phoenix 26m 2012

There is a lovely atmosphere at this event, it is held in conjunction with the Osmotherly Summer Games and they block off the main street so that all sorts of stalls can be put up. The only downside to the event is that the car parking is at least a mile away from the start/finish. It is not too bad before the start, but it is a bit harder at the end ...

It was also great to see many people from the Hardmoors events and Kev Scone who we bumped into several times during the first half 

The route follows the Cleveland Way for the first half. There was a lot of mist about and there were times you couldn't see very far ahead. The rocks were slippery and MelanieLH fell on the descent from Scarth Wood Moor, but luckily there was no damage. We got to Scugdale and the first manned checkpoint which had wine gums and jaffa cakes. 

We then started the long drag up to the top of Carlton Bank but we missed out on all the views as the mist was down and we could only see about 50 yards. Then the tricky descent to Lordstones cafe which we took slowly because the rocks were slippery. There was another checkpoint at the bottom with slabs of malt loaf, flapjack and chocolate covered rice crispies. We couldn't resist.

After the cafe you could choose to go over Cringle Moor, the next hill (what is that called ?) and Wainstones or you could contour round all three. We chose to contour round  but that route is always muddy, today it was just a quagmire. We rescued a whole group of runners who had contoured round Cringle Moor and were about to head off up the next two hills without realising. Down to Clay Bank and more food 

Then another big climb up Carr Ridge and to Round Hill followed by a lovely descent to Chop Gate and yet more food  The hill out of Chop Gate is a monster, especially having run 16m at this point. Then it was paths through the heather which were hard to run on they were so muddy. I lost my enthusiasm at this point, but I knew I would get better after a couple of miles and it did once we had got to the Wheat Beck checkpoint (and you guessed it, more food)

The next bit to Oakdale Head I hadn't done before as I have done the 33m route when I have done this before and that goes off in a different direction at Wheat Beck. We went up to another moor which again was very boggy. This was MelanieLH's time for a low mood, she wanted it over now, it was her first marathon and she wanted it to be finished.

Once we got to Oakdale Head and we could see Osmotherley in the distance, she was fine and we headed mainly downhill to the finish. She was very happy to finish, it has been only four months since she finished radiotherapy, she has done amazingly well to recover so quickly from that. It was great to run with her on her first marathon 

Photos

Hamsterley Forest marathon 2012

This clashed with the Lakeland Trails marathon that I enjoyed last year, but as Hamsterley was nearer and it was the first time it had been held, I thought I would give it a go. As the date got nearer I remembered that last time I ran through Hamsterley in June the midges had been awful so I was beginning to think I had made a error. As it turned out they weren't a problem for me ay all, but one runner was covered in bites.

Crazy Lady from my club asked if she could run with me. As she is faster than me I didn't think she would stay with me too long, but she stayed until 23m and then sped off. I think I probably ran a bit faster then I would have done on my own

The course started with 2m flat section along road followed by 3 laps of 7.5m ending with the same 2m back to the start/finish. Each lap consisted of 3 climbs uphill to halfway and then a lovely gentle 3.5m gentle downhill section. We walked all the hills and then made good time on the downhills.

The weather was pretty good, there was a bit of wind but on the climbs we were sheltered by the trees and and on the downhills it was behind us  Very light drizzle now and then but that helped to keep us cool. Plenty of water stations and marshalls and even a fetchpoint consisting of Jovi Runner and Nrgee - thank you for your encouragement 

Another well organised North East Marathon Club event

Very pleased to finish under 5 hours - 4h 51min