Durham Dales Challenge 30m 2013

I did this race two years ago and found it hard. Five big hills and few smaller ones. It took me 8hrs 14min. However, the scenery was good, the food at the checkpoints was amazing and the meal at the end wasn't bad either. I do love the LDWA  Part of the reason I took that long was that I was running with a clubmate who was struggling and she retired after 10m. This time I was running with Melanie and she is the faster runner, so I knew I wouldn't be dawdling.

We both slept badly last night, the weather forecast was poor, varying between light and heavy rain with a little bit of sun. The wind was going to be strong and in our faces in the first half but behind us on the way back. We had also done the Hardmoors Rosedale marathon six days ago, so all in all the omens weren't good ...

Last year we did the 16m version and though the weather was poor in the first half, we enjoyed it. We decided early in the year that we would do the 30m route this year. I also told my clubmates how good it was and it was good to see quite a few there, most of them opting for the 16m route. It was good to have a chat with them and other faces we recognised.

Both of us were uncertain what to wear, but we both had to put waterproofs over long sleeved tops and Melanie wore gloves later.

We started slowly and climbed out of Wolsingham onto the moors and started towards Hamsterley Forest. No midges there this time (they were horrendous last time). All of this section was into a strong wind with some heavy rain squalls. We finally got off the moors and down to the lovely River Tees and headed towards Middleton-in-Teesdale. A change in the route led us to a new checkpoint which had an amazing display of food.

Then we started to climb the fourth big hill. To my surprise the route seemed not to be as hard as I remembered and we were making good progress especially on the tops when the terrain was runnable. The wind behind us was certainly helping.

At the last manned checkpoint they had quiche like last time  Then it was down into the valley and following the River Wear past caravan sites and farms and passing glorious meadows which looked amazing.

We came to the end and we were surprised to see our time 7hr 11min, a big improvement on two years ago Good meal at the end too  These events are amazing value for money