Results from Cloud Nine fell race, 6th March. There’s a huge selection of pictures on the web, at http://racephotos.topcities.com/cloud_1.htm – go to this page and keep clicking ‘Next Page’.
2 Malcolm Fowler 57:25 M40
6 Tom McGaff 58:39 M50
11 Jim Pendrill 59:30
15 Rob Downs 1:00:57 M40
27 Ian Smallwood 1:04:12 M40
42 Ray Noble 1:06:56
43 Tony Hulme 1:06:59 M55
51 Sally Gilliver 1:07:36 F40
71 Kate Ayres 1:10:48 F45
85 Mike Cooper 1:12:27 M40
107 Katy Green 1:14:37 F
147 Don Bullough 1:18:23 M45
164 Paul Ayres 1:20:27 M45
227 Trevor Faulkner 1:31:26 M60
279 finishers
Congleton Cloud 9
Sunday 6th of March – it’s Mothers Day – so will it be a box of chocolates, bunch of flowers or a 9 mile hill race with 1000 feet of ascent? Those who chose the last option were treated to a bright sunny morning and some beautiful countryside for the Congleton Cloud 9.
As we massed for the start there were plenty of familiar faces but mostly sporting Cheshire Hill Racers kit. “Ah see it’s a different sport, Fell Running” explained Tony, before adding “but this isn’t a fell race of course…”
The race started quickly as we followed the disused railway path out under the big viaduct. Bosley Cloud loomed large ahead although still some distance away. It seemed that the first couple of miles would be a gentle warm up and I was running smoothly until we suddenly struck off across the fields. There was more mud than a Macclesfield cross country – thick, clay, shin deep, pulling your shoes off mud – that quickly consumed the reserves of strength that I was saving for the climb. Tom, Jim and many other mud specialists coasted past as I lost ground to everyone but a dog walker in the next field.
With some relief we left the fields behind and started to climb up a rocky path past the first of many bemused Sunday morning ramblers. Typical conversation, Rambler: “Oh look dear mind out there’s another one. I wonder if there are any more?” Runner: “Yup, about another 200”.
The hill became steeper as we left the trees and we ran breathless into sunlight as the summit rocks came into sight. Wide views opened up all around but there was no time to stop for a picnic. Eyes back on the path for a glorious fast descent through the woods.
Halfway? It didn’t seem like we had come that far and sure enough we were directed back up another long steady climb away from the Cloud. Getting my legs back into hill-climbing gear was hard and this was probably the most difficult part of the route. I could just see Malcolm on the far horizon, Tom and Jim up ahead while behind a long stream of runners looped back up and around the Cloud.
The race promised “all terrain” and this was delivered in spades as we took off down forest and gravel tracks, ran down steps, over bridges and stiles and careered through farm yards all the while trying to spot the next trail marker. Then, all too soon, we were hopping back across the paddy fields, this time with gates to further hinder our progress. Finally, out of the mud the pace picked up as we raced down the country lanes before rejoining the cinder track to the finish. Back at the leisure centre we were rewarded with tea and cakes to round off a great morning out – who says Mother’s Day is getting too commercialised?