Hardmoors White Horse marathon 2018

This was my fourth time running this event. The route has hardly changed during the four years, so I felt confident about where we would be going. I was looking forward to it as it is my favourite Hardmoors marathon route - the scenery is just lovely. As with the other Hardmoors marathons, I was running with Elly. Kath who was supposed to be running with us is recovering from injury, but hopefully she will join us for the next one.

I was great to see so many people I knew before the start

We start by running along the escarpment with lovely views to the  west but today was quite misty early on and we didn't get the views seen in the next photo, but I have put that photo in to illustrate that soon after we start we plunge down the escarpment and run found the lake before climbing up to the escarpment again. It does not look very far down on the photo, but believe me, it is further than it looks.

It can be muddy in places round the lake, but not today most of the ground was very firm.

Finally back up to escarpment again and running along the Cleveland Way, you can see the mist in the distance. But at least the mist kept the temperature down.

We soon passed the Sports Sunday photographers

and followed the Cleveland Way through Boltby Forest and on to the moors before turning east into the lovely valley of Thorodale, where we caught up with Helen and ran with her for the next nine miles

Into Thorodale Woods

and past Arden Hall

Shortly after the checkpoint which is about half a mile from the Hall, there is sharp left hand turn and a couple of runners had carried on. However, they were in shouting distance so we called to get them back.

Across some field, through Hawnby Village before the big climb up Hawnby Hill

with some lovely views from the ridge run at the top. This is one of my favourite sections.

Soon after the descent of Hawnby Hill (about half way) the mist had burnt off and the temperature seemed to shoot upwards. It was now becoming quite warm. Across another stream and up to the east side of Easterside Hill

After climbing up Bilsdale West Moor we came to a checkpoint that had watermelon (absolute bliss) and ice to put inside our drinks bottles (heaven). Down through woods

and into the bottom part of Hawnby before we started the long tarmac climb up Murton Bank. When we were not in shade we felt we were being slowly roasted. Helen handled the climb much better than Elly and I and she disappeared off into the distance.

We got to the top to be greeted by a small band of youngsters playing music which was lovely and down to Murton Woods and over the ford.

Across a couple of fields and into the shade of woods (bliss)

and then down Birk Bank and onwards to the boardwalk near the River Rye

and to Rievalux

On to what we thought might be the last checkpoint where I filled up with water yet again, I felt I was drinking much more than usual. Next came the stepping stones

and then the beautiful Flassen Dale

Sadly we weren't there long before the long drag up to Cold Kirby where there was another check point where I could get more water. Two more miles to the finish after this and that was fine. We could hear thunder in the distance and this certainly motivated me to speed up a little !

27.5 miles which is pretty short for a Hardmoors marathon (the half marathon at this event was 17 miles....). A beautiful route and as usual the marshalls were helpful and encouraging.

I was using the new Mountain Fuel Extreme Energy Fuel which was very drinkable, I will certainly use it again.