Gritstone Grind 35m 2019

Mow Cop, The Cloud, Wincle Minn, Croker Hill, Tegg's Nose, Kerridge Hill, White Nancy and Sponds Hill - an interesting set of names for hills and features of this route. This area was completely new to me and the route followed the well signposted Gritstone Trail

I was doing this one on my own as Melanie wanted to take care of a few niggles, so she went on her own shorter run. The start was as Kidsgrove and the finish at Disley and we drove to Disley. Melanie ran back to the hotel where we were staying and I got on a coach to Kidsgrove. It was an early start from our hotel, registration was between 6.00 and 6.45 and the race started soon after 8.30.

The first two and half miles were along canal tow paths which was a nice way to warm up.

The first hill was Mow Cop, where there is a folly. 

Then it was a ridge run befor a descent to an old railway line. This was all very runnable. We turned off the old railway line and made our way to the first checkpoint. The checkpoints on this event were just amazing - orange slices, sausage rolls, cheese rolls, vegetable samosas, onion bhajis, twix, biscuits, cordeial, coke and water. A lot of people were gathered at this checkpoint !

I filled up with water grabbed a samosa and a vegetable roll and left as soon as I could before I was tempted to have more. The next hill, the Cloud, came straight away.

SportsSunday were there and took this one of me

and then a long runnable descent

There were some lovely wooded sections as well

Then the start of the next climb up to Wincle Minn and we passed this

On the way to the top we came across the first of three unofficial checkpoints put on by a local running club, Bollington Harriers. Even they had a great selection of food !

Once at the top there was a short descent and a climb up to the transmitter at Coker Hill. I had started almost at the back but I was going well here and others were starting to tire so I was gradually overtaking people. This was the half way point and I had a rough aim to be there by 4 hours and I was just a little behind, but I wasn't aiming to do anything but finish and I now knew I had plenty of time available.

Another long, gentle descent and on to the next official checkpoint next to a pub. It was now getting a little warm. On across some rolling countryside towards the next hill Tegg's Nose which was clearly visible as we approached it

It wasn't quite as bad as I expected and the view from close to the top was lovely

After another good descent, a few more rolling bits before a steep climb up Kerridge Hill and along a ridge to the White Nancy which was about marathon distance.

I took the tourist down as the alternative looked pretty steep to me. More rolling hills and in to the final official checkpoint. Then a long, long drag upwards to the final hill, Spond's Hill. Again lovely views

I was expecting it to be all downhill from here and it mainly was. We went into the lovely Lyme Park which was heaving with people.

A few more ups and then a long runnable one mile descent to the finish in Disley. Medals and tee shirts you could order before the event and pay for, but I decided not to opt for either and I thought it was a good idea to make them optional.

It was the first time I had had a tracker (not everybody in the event was given one). It didn't work for all of the event, but Melanie found it useful to see where I was.

It was a lovely day to do this route, hardly any wind, but not too hot, just right.