On our recommendation, two clubmates came down with us this year, Rachael and Jules. We also met up with Fran when we got there
The weather was forecast to be very, very hot and they certainly got that right, it was a scorching day.The organisers had altered the route in three places, which meant that we missed out on a shady route round a reservoir and some moorland, but it was good to have something a bit different. They also made the start an hour earlier, which meant we got up at 5.00, but at least that meant we started when the temperature was still lovely.
After a sharp hill soon after the start it was just gently undulating for a while, going through fields, farms and crops. Sometimes the ground was a little uneven and I went over on my ankle at about 5m. My lower calf started to ache a little, but it didn't seem too bad and I was able to keep up. Rachael was carrying an injury which got worse so she started to walk with the intention of dropping our at checkpoint 3, near Ripon.
The rest of us reached the lovely valley of the seven bridges which was past checkpoint 3 and after going through that and stopping for photographs, we noticed Rachel behind us. She had been able to run a little on the road sections and wanted to see if she could finish. Jules stayed with her and MelanieLH, cackleberry and I went on, though after slowing for some raspberry foraging (you can see that finishing time wasn't important to us !), Jules and Rachael caught us up at the halfway checkpoint.
This was a highlight last year. Ice cream in cones, lots of food, water, buckets to cool yourself down, the perfect checkpoint. This year it was the same, just wonderful.
The second half has lots more hills (there is 3000ft of ascent on the route), we were chased by a herd of bullocks at one point but Fran knew exactly what to do and stopped them in their tracks. Rachael and Jules dropped back again at this point. At about 21m, Fran said the heat had drained her and she would walk the rest. MelanieLH and I started to run on a flat section, but I became aware that my lower calf was no longer just an ache, it was now a sharp pain. Melanie stayed with us until Brimham Rocks and then went on ahead and Fran and i walked the rest. Brimham Rocks were as spectacular as ever. We were so impressed last year that we came back for a longer visit later in the summer.
Shortly before the easy run in to the finish, Jules and Rachael went by and we all met up again at the Village Hall. We started with pudding - jelly, fruit and ice cream to cool us down. Then went on the most impressive main course I have ever had at an LDWA event - quiche, peas in parsley sauce, potatoes, lots of salad dishes - amazing that this was all in an entry fee of £10.
Then it was off to the pub next door for a relaxing drink before starting the drive home.
There were about thirty runners and quite a few walkers on this event and I was surprised there weren't more. It is a lovely event
Photos
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