Elsecar Skelter 27m 2016

I have done this LDWA event three times before, but the last time was 2012,

http://lisrun.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/elsecar-skelter-27m-2012.html

so it has been a while and I was looking forward to going back. The attractions are some lovely countryside, a fair number of follies and country houses, checkpoints with food, a meal at the end in a pub and all for £10 !

I also used to work in one of the country houses, Wentworth Woodhouse, when it was known as Lady Mabel College of Education

It has fantastic grounds surrounded by a deer park. Sadly it isn't possible to see in the house as it is now privately owned.

Last time Melanie and I did this event we ended up going through nettles which were head high. Melanie has not let me forget this, so unusually we decided to recce that section the night before. We found the well hidden stile we were supposed to have taken last time, so we knew we would not make that error again. It is a largely unmarked route. There is a route description which is is pretty clear and a GPX of the route provided by the organisers.

Melanie was planning to do the 15m route, while I was doing the 27m route, but the first 10m were the same and I would be running Melanie's last 5m as my last 5m.

There was a short briefing about a couple of changes to the route and then it was a simple, 'off you go' and we headed off from fairly near the front so we were not stuck behind any walkers on the narrow paths soon after the start.

We went past the first folly, Hoober Stand, which you can see in the distance in the photo

Then past another folly which you can't see much of because of woods from where we are. Then into the deer park and up to Wentworth Woodhouse

We were taking it steady, walking the hills and running most of the rest and being passed by other runners including Jon and Sarah who are fellow 100 marathon club members.

The second checkpoint at 10m (it was also the 6th checkpoint for me) was the best for food - sandwiches, malt loaf, crisps, cake and this is where I parted company with Melanie.

I headed off into the woods and promptly made a navigational error turning left a little early. It was no problem really, I was soon back on the right path without having to backtrack. I went round the edge of a cornfield and through the middle of the next one - I do like running through the middle of corn fields

There were quite a few opportunities to do this at this event and another one came along shortly

The weather was pretty warm, but there was nice breeze to cool us down. However, I don't think I drank enough water in the first 10m. I was trying to make up for it, but I don't think I managed this very well

Through another checkpoint and then across a few fields before the one muddy section before a bit of a climb up. Then there was a lovely descent down a farm road and onto the lovely Warncliffe Crags

I love this section, lovely views and slightly downhill through woods with breaks in the trees for a view. The descent is a bit rocky and technical but I just took my time.

The next checkpoint was Wortley Hall, where there is usually a wedding taking place and there was again. The checkpoint was offering tea, bananas, jelly babies and biscuits, so I had half a cup of tea before heading onwards to the edge of the Hall grounds

Then more farm roads, a bit of tarmac and back into the woods where I made the navigational error earlier. This section was taped, but at one junction I was a bit doubtful and tried the other way. However with ten yards my watch was showing I was off course, so I quickly turned round and found my way back to the checkpoint where Melanie and I had separated. More food and drink was very welcome.

Then onwards along slightly overgrown paths to Tankersley Hall, which was used in the filming of Kes. The last self clip checkpoint was there and the route went through some woods which were a little muddy. Finally I came to the section that Melanie and I had recce'd the night before and onwards across another cornfield

before entering the park next to the finish. There was a grand certificate and a badge both featuring Wentworth Woodhouse at the end.

The finish was in a pub and I realised I was pretty thirsty and two pints of different guest ales quickly disappeared. This and the dry first 10m was probably not a very good idea as when I was dozing later, I woke with the most painful cramp I think I have every experienced ! I will be more careful in future !