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

Durham Dales 30m 2018

This is one of my favourite events. Beautiful countryside, amazing food at the checkpoints, low key and some navigation required. This year there was an added challenge because of footpath erosion, there were some alterations to the route. Melanie was doing this one as well, her third time at the longer distance at this event.

There was quite a few familiar faces at the event, Hardmoors runners, Striders  and others from local clubs and it was good to have a chat with them before the start. The starting few miles were the same and we ran for about a mile with Mark who we haven't seen for a while and after 3m he forked off on the 14m route. We went off across the moor in the direction of Pikestone Fell.

Across Ayhope Beck

and South Grain Beck

A lovely descent followed by a long drag up to Black Hill and into Hamsterley Forest. There were a few more flies around here, but they weren't too bad.

Through the first checkpoint and on to Ever Pools

and then for our fastest mile (8:41) downhill to the River Tees. Our slowest mile today was twenty seven minutes...

On the old route we would have carried on along the river in the picture above but we turned sharp left and went along to this bridge over the Tees

After going through the lovely village of Mickleton and another checkpoint we went along the Tees Railway path and over a lovely viaduct

and through meadows on the way to Middleton-in-Teesdale

Here is one of the best checkpoints I have ever come across. Just loads of food and as Melanie wanted to give her some feet some care and attention, we spent a while here.

As we left the marshalls wished us good luck and that made me wonder what was in store for us for the next section which was new. Pretty soon we were climbing steeply uphill and going over stile after stile. We came across this lovely little tunnel which made a nice change from the stiles.

As we got near the top the fields became wild flower meadows which I just love

We descended down to the road at Snaisgill before the ascent of Monk's Moor. This bit was tough and I think there were three false summits. Here was the view looking back before the first summit,

The path was pretty non-existent here and we were relying on the gpx provided by the organisers. There were some runners following us who were also relying on us knowing where we were going !

We joined up with the old route again at Great Eggles Hope and climbed up past the old mine workings

and up to the reservoir

On the way down we came across a small female adder which we kept well away from

Finally with 8m to go we climbed the last big hill before we started the long descent down to Bollihope. We were now on the old shorter 17m route back to the finish. That route has all also been changed this year and reduced to 14m

Bollihope is also a well stocked checkpoint and it passes through an old mining area

and we come to the lovely Forgotten Quarry

and the old Harehope Quarry

and across the old railway line

which had a train on it

and back to the Race HQ where there was pie and peas, followed by rice pudding and fruit salad. The catering is amazing for the entry price (£14). A certificate and a badge for finishers

Sadly this event is not being held in 2019 as the organisers are concentrating on the LDWA 100m event which is being held in the North-East.

2017 blog