Durham Dales 30m 2017

I do love this event. I have done the 17m route twice and this was to be fourth go at the 30m route. There were four Striders doing the 30m route and the rest were running the 17m route

Melanie was running the 17m route and I was running the 30m route with Kath who was doing it for the first time. Melanie loved her route and was the second female finisher on the 17m route.

There was just one minor change to the route from last year and that appeared straightforward. There was tea, cake and quiche available before the start. The food available at this event is just awesome and includes a basic meal at the end, all for a cost of £14.

We started by the usual climb out of Wolsingham which provided some lovely views of the Wear valley.

On the way we passed through the wonderfully named Towdy Potts Farm. We came to the point where the two routes parted after about 3m. It had taken over 40min to reach this point because of the hills.

We then had a bit if drag upwards before a lovely descent through heather with Steel Beck to the right

There were a few tape signs in this section but once we crossed the beck they disappeared. We climbed a little higher than we should have done, but we descended and found the right path before crossing the next beck. Then it was a lovely grassy descent to the wonderfully named Meeting of the Grains.

Another long climb and into Hamsterley Forest. We made our way downhill to Sharnnerry Beck and after a tricky descent we turned onto a grassy section whereupon I tripped over something and went flying. I think I executed a nice roll onto my shoulder and only slightly grazed my knee, so everything was fine and I was able to continue straight away.

We walked up the forest road to the checkpoint where we refilled with water (and cake !). Climbed out of Hamsterley 

and back onto to moorland and up another climb I had forgotten about (i got teased by Kath about this for the rest of the day...) before we had a good descent to the River Tees. 

We ran and walked alongside the river for two miles or so - it is not easy running, but it is beautiful. I do like the variety of countryside in this route.

We turned off the riverside path towards Middleton-in Teesdale through a lovey wild meadow

Into the famous checkpoint at Middleton which has an amazing reputation for the food and drink on offer. It did not disappoint

and it was hard to leave.

Another climb out of Middleton to get back onto the moors and there was a checkpoint about halfway up with a great view back along the valley we had just run.

A descent into the valley containing Great Egglesthorpe Beck

with more beck crossings, before the climb out of the valley and the descent down to Little Egglesthorpe Beck and the next checkpoint. It had been windy on the way to Middleton, but now the wind was behind us, but it was string enough that all the food was in two car boots. There were just loads, I had quiche, cake and orange slices, just perfect.

Up on the moor again, (but only a gentle climb this time) but there was an amazing view, we could see as far as Saltburn

and across to the final checkpoint above Surrender House. As with all the other checkpoints the marshalls were lovely and friendly - they are out there for a long time as there are quite a few walkers doing this event.

A lovely descent down to the River Wear and we followed the railway back to Wolsingham where one of the trains went by

Into the Hall which was serving as Race HQ and I was pleased to see the bar was open 😀 The meal was cheese pasty and mushy peas followed by rice pudding and with a pint, that all was consumed very quickly.

I will be back !