Every year there is one race which, in Mr. Dodd's word, is for the Series tarts. Last year it was Shelf Moor. This year it looked like Buxton, and I had missed-out, but then along came Norland Moor; Halifax on a bank holiday weekend. Roy and I decided this looked too good to miss. The tarts were swelled by those who, with only four more races to go, were panicking to get-in their 7 or their 12 races. There were also, we confided as we relaxed in the clubhouse, those of us, poor souls, for whom a day out in Halifax, running a fell race, was the best bank holiday entertainment on offer. Whatever our motivation we all agreed it had been a good choice; even Steve, Sharon and Sarah who were oozing quite a lot of blood between them.
The 6.3 mile course starts with a steep half mile. It then continues to climb, but much more gently for a further mile to the moor. The 3 mile loop on the Moor is predominantly a gentle climb out and a gentle descent back, then a rough section through the woods and back onto the steep path down and a final flat half mile to Copley Cricket Club. The Moor itself is not dissimilar to the top at Roaches, the path has its fair share of rocks. Halifax A.C.'s promotion talks of a magnificent view and it was a beautiful sunny day, but it is a course for watching where you put your feet, not admiring the scenery. Hence the injuries, albeit none of them serious.
Rob in 12th. and 1st. M45, was our best placed runner, despite his self-confessed weakness on the downhill section. He was followed by Steve and Jarrod.
Sally, starting slowly but building momentum became our first, and the race's third lady and 1st. F50, Louisa was 1st. F40, despite losing the route and valuable time. The Ladies won the team prize; Sally, Louisa, Clare.
Steve, despite quite nasty cuts from his fall, got the League 2 60-points followed by Jarrod and Louisa.
Sally took the League 3 60-points from the improving Tim, Chris, not alone in suffering the after-effects of a holiday, Gareth, Nicky and Patrick. Sciatica brought Chris's run to a premature end.
In League 4, Clare established an early dominance then just went away. Her first 60 points. John was never challenged for second place. Carolyn made a strong start but was slowly overhauled by Ian, 1st.M65, in the second half as the gradient switched from up to down hill, but she sustained her pace for a good finish. The steep start brought-on Sharon's breathing problems and she dropped a couple of places before finding a rhythm, which was then interrupted by her fall. Bernard is not yet able to transfer the impressive form he has found on the road to the fells. Gail was disappointed, she had hoped she had put her holiday behind her, she needs some training miles.
This was Sarah's type of race and she made the most of it winning League 5. Sue and Julie, both promotion challengers, took second and third. Nina was not 100% at the start and was never comfortable, but she needs her 7 races and she toughed it out. This type of course is food and drink to Trevor. Roy knew this was going to be difficult, but his knee op is less than three weeks away and he needed one more race for 12 and the running shirt, his finish brought the biggest acclaim of the day and he was as satisfied as anyone with his day's work.
By the time we'd had our bacon barms and a cup of team the bar was open, Chris was sorely tempted but resisted. A friendly club, good facilities an excellent course, the consensus was that we would happily return.
Ian