Shining Tor

15-May-2013

Nobody can ever write a race report with the grace and insight of ‘The Ashcroft’ but in his absence these are my humble observations.

The afternoon was typical of May, driving rain and high winds, looking out the window I really did wonder if it was wise to be running up 1200 feet of accent in a few hours’ time, however, the clouds began to clear and I remembered that a lot of people weren’t running. I’m a Summer Series Points ‘Tart’ (thanks Janine), and I am proud of it!!!

I have never run around Goyt before, my last attempt ended up with me getting lost in he surrounding hills and almost running out of petrol, so this time I was happy to be driven by John Porteous and his co–pilot Alan Turner.

Arriving in good time we were delighted to see but a few Wilmslow vests, half a dozen at most!! Our little faces lit up, all we had to do was get round and the points would suggest a run of greatness!! As the minutes ticked by our smiles faded as another 30 or so WRC vests appeared, lovely to see them all really, kinda. 

The start is based around Errwood Reservoir, beautiful setting though the wind was biting into us as we decided how many items of clothing to wear. We were  in awe of the bravery of Simon Bolton as he jogged past just in his vest, far braver than I. A t-shirt, vest and a jacket, that should do it, and of course the insisted upon full body cover, whistle, map and compass.

Group 3, that is where I live and currently I live mid-way in that table, however, tonight, No Louisa, No Janine, No Kate, No Steve Russell, if there was ever a chance of the Group 3 60 points this was going to be it, just needed Di Bygrave not to turn up and I fancied my chances, my hopes were somewhat quashed with just 15 minutes to go Di arrived, tried to convince her the race was full, she just smiled, she knows us too well.  Chris, who always runs hill races brilliantly, I knew, would have to be watched. 

The route had been changed this year that saw the course reduced to 4.2 miles with basically 2 big hills slap bang in the middle. The first half mile or so sees us set off down a slight hill then the ascent begins in earnest, the hill though is runnable, just, its hard though to keep momentum as the surface is tricky and uneven. I keep a few paces behind Di, I know downhill I shall be braver/madder and I will make up time, Tony only just a short distance ahead either means I’ve gone off too fast or he is injured, it would seem he was struggling with his knee as I soon pass him on the descent and not to be seen again.  

I thought I ran down hills well, but I am a mere child in comparison to Chris Grime, I have never seen somebody run down a slippery wet jagged hill as he did, he must have put 200 yards between us in the space of 2 minutes, I had however got in front of Di and Chris by the bottom of the hill, and as we looped round I could see that I was around 300 yards in front of them, just enough I thought.

Fast downhill, a light stream running through it, mud, jagged rocks, a real ankle twisting affair, then came the second ascent. Not as bad or as steep as the first but on tired legs from just trying to stay upright it hurt. Chris Grime was a few hundred metres ahead by the time we got to the top, I knew he was uncatchable now, Chris and Di were  200 meters’ behind and I felt safe knowing that there was only the fast downhill to run. 

A real twisting, turning, alternating terrain mile downhill, a few tumbles were taken, I went over on my ankle but managed to stay upright, unlike Chris Cannon who had a roll around apparently, the finish just in sight and a welcome cheer from Mike Marshall and the dogs, worryingly Mike says “just
this sting in the tail to run Andy” and as I turned the corner I saw what he meant, only 150 meters, but uphill, steep!! In many ways a great finish, a great finish when you’d finished kind of thing.

Halfway up this final hill I hear Jeremy Bygrave shout “come on Di, you can catch him”, I spin my head round as fast as lightening!!! Only to see nobody behind me……..I turn back and we both smile, my panic relinquishes…..  

The finish sees us welcomed with water, jam donuts and a selection of treats, fabulous!! Only 4.2 miles but I found it exhausting, the climbs were hard but the downs were filled with danger and there was no let up on body or mind for the whole race.

I would love to comment on the other Groups but didn’t really see anything more than the people mentioned, though it looks like Andy Whittingham continues to run brilliantly and Simon Fenton still runs down hills like Bambi.

Andy Dodd. 60 points – BOOM.