Last year it rained heavily until about halfway and it was pretty muddy. It was also fairly windy This year it was glorious sunshine and very little wind. Melanie, who ran it with me last year, is currently injured so she did not come down with me.
It is a fantastic route, it has a bit of everything - great views, a lake, woods, mud, a ruined abbey and some lovely streams to cross. Today I got to see it in all its glory.
There seemed to be slightly fewer runners than you normally get in a Hardmoors marathon and I guess some of them are tapering for the Hardmoors 110/160 which isn't too far away.
We started about 9.07 and I hung back a bit as I didn't expect to be going fast. I hung back a bit too much and I was slightly held up on the descent to Gormire Lake. The descent was very muddy, so that was good - it wouldn't have been good to take a tumble at this stage. We went round the lake
which again was pretty muddy and then started the long climb back up the escarpment. When we got up there were some amazing views and we could see snow on the hills in the distance.
It had been cold at the start, but the climb up from the lake had certainly warmed me up and my waterproof, hat and gloves had all come off on the climb. We followed the Cleveland Way to High Paradise Farm
The Farm now has a cafe, we must go there some time. The first checkpoint organised by Anthony was just past the farm. Then it was small gentle incline through the woods and onto the moors with more spectacular views to the west
I soon turned off the Cleveland Way and the same marshall as last year was at that point. We laughed about how different it was this year. Last year it was raining heavily and we tuned into a strong wind and the next bit wasn't pleasant. This year it was just beautiful and I soon started to descent into the lovely Throrodale
The it was on into the woods you can see in the distance and past the farm cottages and Arden Hall
Emily was looking after the second checkpoint and it was good to see her again. Soon after I got chatting to a fellow 100 marathon club member who was just recovering from flu and didn't have much energy. I was also overtaking and being overtaken by Dee, Jo and another runner from York. We came into the beautiful village from Hawnby and the started the sharp climb of Hawnby Hill
Then a steep descent down, cross a stream
and a long drag up Bilsdale West Moor and down the other side and back into the lower part of Hawnby - the approach to Hawnby was again very muddy. Then a long steep road climb up to the checkpoint at 18.5m. Like last year there was a Strider there, it was good to see Rachel.
Shortly after we got on to the private land and started a long descent to the valley. The muddy ascent on the other side wasn't as muddy as last year. However, the next section which last year was a mass of branches across the path was pretty similar to last year
We descended on muddy paths to the River Rye
and onto Rievaulx
before a road section and back onto the Cleveland Way
I was struggling at this point, just lack of fitness, so it was mainly walking on the many long inclines. I walked into the last checkpoint
past the lovely lakes and over stepping stones
and onto Flassen Dale
followed by the long drag up to Cold Kirby
Progress was again fairly slow on the last couple of miles. I could see I was going to be about 10 minutes faster than last year, so that was pleasing (although the wind had quite an effect last year). I came into the finish 6hr 43min after starting and was surprised to hear that I might have won my age category (I may have been the only person in my age category !). This was confirmed in a few minutes and I was awarded by trophy by Jon
It had a lovely route and I had really enjoyed it. Jon and Shirley had done a great job organising it and all the helpers and marshals had been wonderful. If you have never done a Hardmoors event, I can't recommend them highly enough !
