Hardmoors Princess 31m 2018

This was an event I have done four times before, but I missed out last year because of a bad back. I do enjoy the route in the summer. I have done the Hardmoors 30 (which is basically the same, but not always the same direction) several times as well, but the weather and the lack of slippery mud makes it more fun that the 30.

I was running this with Melanie and it was great to see so many people I know running this one.

There were a lot of tutus on display at this one, more than I had seen before. 

The race started with the usual road descent to the Cleveland Way and then following the Way south towards Hayburn Wyke. There was some incentive to do this reasonably quickly as there was the possibility of being held by a marshall whilst a farmer moved some cattle. There is diversion on the Way in place before Hayburn Wyke, because of a landslip I think, but it was well signposted and it went across fields, along quiet road and through woods.

Then back on to the Cleveland Way above the beach at Hayburn Wyke

I think the event a little longer but not by very much. Then there is a long drag up the Cinder Track back to Ravenscar. I think this may have been the first year I have ran all of this section of the Cinder Track. I walked a bit on the road back to the Village Hall. It was getting quite warm, but there was a cooling breeze from the west. The road section was the first bit where there was no shade.

We stopped for a bit longer than usual at the checkpoint and then back to the Cinder Track for the gentle descent to Robin Hood's Bay. There is a slight rise towards the end but we were feeling fine at the Robin Hood's Bay checkpoint where they had ice to add to our drinks 😅😅

We walked the drag on the Cinder Track out of Robin Hood's Bay

We reached 15m at 2h 55min. We knew we would slow down on the Cleveland Way after Whitby, but it was looking good - my best time at this event was 6hr 45min. I slowed a little on the descent into Whitby.

Two views from the viaduct at Whitby

Crossing the Swing Bridge

This picture doesn't really show the crowds in Whitby, it felt busier than this.

We bought an ice cream each at the bottom of the Whitby steps. This didn't work out for me, my stomach did not feel good afterwards, but it didn't last for more than about an hour. On past the lovely lighthouse.

It was slow progress back to Robin Hood's Bay, I was getting very tired and we didn't run much. Finally got there and got more ice in our drinks and on to the last four to five miles which has some significant climbs. The climb out of Robin Hood's Bay was when I became really aware of my lack of energy. I was having to pause climbing the hill whichever never usually happens (except I did notice it at Elsecar, though I was fine the following day at Rosedale). I used one pause to take this photo over the Bay towards Ravenscar.

On towards Boggle Hole

Another very slow climb out and down into Stoupe Back and yet another slow climb out. My heart was racing on these climbs and pausing seemed to help keep the rate down. Across the cliffs - walked these as I had nothing left and then onto the final big climb at Ravenscar. This seemed a little easier, probably because there were no steps. Melanie fancied a proper coffee so she went on ahead to the National Trust shop in Ravenscar and bought two take away coffees and walked to the finish in the Village Hall with them. I am sure you can imagine some of the comments she got as she crossed the line !

It took me a little while to feel normal back in the Hall. The chips and the drinks helped. 

I am not sure what happened today. It could well have been the heat and not being hydrated enough before and during the event, but I will pay a visit to the GP just to get checked out. 

We finished in about 7hr 15min so a much slowed second half !!

2016 blog

Hardmoors Rosedale marathon 2018

I was running this one with Elly, Kath and Sara. John on his first marathon was also going to run with us, but he ran on ahead quite early on. It was good to see so many people I know through Hardmoors, several of them were marshalls which must have been a tough job in the heat.

The forecast was for the temperature to be warmer than yesterday and that is the way it turned out. It was very hot when we were out on the moors where there was no shade. However, the wind was a little stronger which was nice when we weren't sheltered from it. It did cloud over for about half an hour very late on which was a relief. But it did come out again on the final climb.

The route was the same as in 2017 which had been very different (and much harder) than earlier routes for this event.

It was the usual running start - by the time we got out of the Village Hall in Hutton-le-Hole, the race had already started. We knew there was no rush as there a always a queue at the first gate. Then along field edges

and on to the first climb you can see in the distance above

Last year the field above had been potatoes, but this was much easier.

On to a short road section where the Sports Sunday photographer was waiting

and then off into the remote part of the North York Moors, Otterhill Common, which Melanie and I covered in much cooler conditions at Easter. In the middle of nowhere, with no access that I could see, was this sign:

Across the moor to the following two buildings

and on over a stream, which didn't have much water in it,

 towards Roppa Wood which when we went round it, has some lovely views

There were a couple of descents into quiet dales with the inevitable climbs out. As we went down into Bransdale we passed the deserted Stork House

We climbed out of Bransdale and inevitable went back down again on a road section before another long climb in the direction of Farndate. Near the top we came to something that looked like a duck as we approached. It was a duck.

and as we got to it we could see the party checkpoint come into view. This is not an official checkpoint but the party checkpoint is usually there at Hardmoors events. They had water pistols and were happy to soak you if it helped 😀

Finally we came down into Farndale. I was still feeling pretty good. I was drinking much more than yesterday which I think helped. There was also plenty of walking happening. We ran the tourist route between High Mill and Low Mill which was very quiet as it is not daffodil season. Then another climb which resulted in lovely views of Farndale

This path upwards was a bit overgrown

About four miles to go from the top and a nice descent down into woods before a final road climb before the run down to Hutton-le-Hole.

This is a lovely event, great views but some tough climbs. The heat made a tough event even tougher, but overall I am glad I did yesterday and today.

2017 blog

Elsecar Skelter 27m 2018

It was not part of our plan for Melanie and I to do this event. However, there was a two month gap between Melanie's marathons/ultras and she wanted a long event to keep herself marathon fit. We had done this event before (five time for me, twice for Melanie) and we do love it. It is a twisty route with lots of follies to look at and some hills and lovely views.

The only disadvantage to doing it was that I had a place in the Hardmoors Rosedale marathon the following day. It is four years since I had done two in a row and we both did those two and we did some training for it. The first one had been a very hilly one through Lakeland Passes followed by an undulating road marathon (Windermere) and it had worked out well. This pair was the other way round with the much tougher Rosedale coming second and I didn't have any time for any specific training for back to back long events.

We stayed near Elsecar but we didn't get as much sleep as we would have liked as there was a lorry depot close by. We made it to The Market which is the Race HQ in plenty of time

This is a very cheap event, you can get coffee or tea at the start, there a basic meal at the end and some of the checkpoints are very well stocked with cakes, sandwiches and orange slices. All for £15. There is a GPX supplied together with a route description.

We started probably a little quickly. We soon reached Hoober Stand

and on to the village of Hoober. Lots of field crossings

and on to Wentworth Woodhouse (thanks to Melanie for some of these photos)

The farmer in one area had ploughed over the path so there was a little choice but to go directly through a hay field.

It was getting very warm - we think it got up to about 27 or degrees. There was some shade in the woods and a little breeze, but I was finding it hard going which felt a bit ominous for the following day.

It was great to reach Whancliffe Crags, this is a lovely section with great views and it is mainly downhill

I slowed a bit more after that, the sun seemed to be sucking all my energy away. On a couple of hills I had to pause for breath which is unusual for me. I think this may have been caused by a lack of hydration in the days leading up to the event. 

We made it round in under six hours and we were only a bit slower than last year when it had not been as hot. So overall it had gone well, but I was a bit concerned how tomorrow would go when the temperature was forecast to be higher and there would be a lot more hills and overgrown paths.

Northumberland Coastal marathon 2018

It has been very hot this last week. Since the Durham Dales last Saturday I have had a busy week. Monday was a University Open Day, Tuesday graduation ceremonies and College graduation drinks. Wednesday graduation ceremonies and College graduation dinner. Thursday, a normal working day - College followed by surgery followed by College graduation dinner. Friday graduation ceremonies and College graduation drinks. Saturday, a very busy University Open day. Followed by a marathon in one of the hottest weeks for year. Not great planning and likely to result in a very slow run.

Luckily we were saved by a lovely sea breeze which kept us a bit cooler. As soon as we were sheltered from the breeze it got suddenly very hot !

The start is in the lovely village of Alnmouth. Not been there ? Go, the station is on the main line between London and Edinburgh and quite a few trains stop there. It is just lovely.

There weren't may people starting the marathon as this photo shows the entire field. Melanie was running this one as well which was great, she kept me going 😀

On a beach for the first two miles or so, on to Boulmer and Longhouton

Across the stream (Melanie took some of these photos)

and on to Craster and Dunstanburgh Castle

and Embleton Beach

 and on towards Beadnell Bay

We head towards Beadnell but turn around on to the beach at the stream which is about half way down the beach. It was so not you could see the water on the beach being evaporated into steam.

and then it was back the same way. My exhausting week and the heat finally caught up with me after 21 miles and I ran only occasionally after that. Melanie was starting to get a sore hip walking so she ran on. I finally got into the finish in 5hr 19min which I was very happy with.

A lovely relaxing couple of hours in Alnmouth before the drive home. Another well organised marathon by the North-East Marathon Club !

2014 blog