Still lacking the training for both fast short races and tough fell races I had the perfect excuses to try what I wanted to do anyway, namely the Wetton 10K discovered on the Staffs Moorlands web site.
I’ve had a happy afternoon. It was great race; but maybe the truly gorgeous day after weeks of misery had something to do with it. Warm sun, a caressing breeze and countryside as fresh as a baby’s bottom. The race is entirely tarred and for the first half there was no traffic with very little for the second half too.
For those who don’t know Wetton, this is a little village in the White Peak just east of the Manifold Valley and about 3K west of Dovedale. Its my favourite part of the Peak District with a quintessentially English landscape of gently rolling hills and broad panoramas dotted with isolated farms and unspoilt hamlets and villages. The area also has several surprises such as the deep Manifold Valley; limestone crags and the truly impressive Thor’s Cave perched high above the valley – and visible for the first three kilometres or so of the race. The area is riddled with paths and traffic free cycleable tracks; there is a tea shop at Wetton Mill in the valley bottom; and each village has a pub which goes back aeons. All in all a part of the world well worth repeated visits by folk of all ages. (There are also world famous copper mines inside Ecton Hill and a well known south facing climbers’ crag at Beeston Tor. The river often sinks into the limestone and I have several times seen an inch of ice spanning bank to bank with two or three feet of air beneath.)
The race had stunning scenery which you noticed even whilst the body ached and complained. There was nice friendly atmosphere and since it was a fundraiser for the village you even got a warm glow buying tea and high quality yummies in the village hall. I hope to do it again and all the runners I spoke to had already done it at least once before.
The race starts at the high point of Wetton Village about a hundred yards from the Royal Oak. We were sent on our way by a lady who had reached 80 on the Friday. So after a brief sing song she blew a hooter and off we set.
We were at about 296 metres and from the first stride it was downhill. After a couple of hundred yards it steepened up and we were pulled downwards. I could tell that even in front of me runners were using their thighs to break the speed. It took about five minutes to reach the valley bottom below 185 metres and we immediately turned upstream. I remember thinking on the way down that although I wasn’t breathing much my legs were getting tired. The change of gradient rubbed this in.
We did a short loop up-valley to Wetton Mill but didn’t stop for tea and scones and instead turned 180 degrees going through a ford in the process. After a short climb we commenced a steady gradual descent of about two kilometres to the low point. At times the path (tarred) was in the shade and I was pretty grateful for this. The good breeze up high had been shut down. I tried maintaining a good pace on this section whilst also holding back somewhat since I have previously run, walked, cycled or driven all parts of the route and knew what was to come. At Weag’s Bridge , 172 metres, there was a water station (ignored by me) and a few yards (not metres!) later there was a 5K sign practically at the point where we had to start climbing again.
By my watch I broke 18 minutes for this 5K after doing 18.49 at Lymn two weeks ago. Again by my watch I finished in 42.35 so you can work the splits out! No, I didn’t collapse. In fact I gained at times on some people in front, passing one runner and only being caught by one other. Shortly after the bridge there is a steep section with two hairpins and then the hill opens out and one can see for several hundred yards. There is a steady climb to just over 295 metres (i.e. over 123 metres) then a descent and a climb to nearly 305 metres and then another descent to below 225 metres. By now nobody I could see was able to take advantage of these downhill sections. Less than a kilometre before Alstonefield (The George) we turned left for an undulating horseshoe loop rising overall to a turn at 246 metres. From there it was as struggle of less than a kilometre to the finish but this into the wind and with another 40 metres of climbing!
I guess that the field was about a hundred or so (the previous five weeks’ weather perhaps limiting numbers) but it was very well organised with ample signage; medics; and at least three water stations. You even got named as you ran in at the end. A lovely day’s amateur sport and a splendid route. Andy Wilton won. I heard a time of 35 minutes mentioned but haven’t yet seen the results. (Andy is rather good.)
Ray Eagle