Cake Race

Who can resist a fell race that's called The Cake Race?!

Organised by Saddleworth Runners this 10mile fell race has 1700ft of elevation gain and is billed as "An interesting moorland course with as much cake as you like to eat at the end. Who could ask for more?" Indeed! Even better, it was in our running club champs so I joined a merry gang of Glossopdale Harriers and made our way over to Diggle for the race on Saturday 5th May.

It turned out to be a gloriously sunny and hot day and kit requirements down to a bare minimum meant I was probably a bit slack on the amount of water I carried. I had just enough with me to get me round with a very welcome top up from a marshal!

The route climbs up a horribly cobbly stony path for a good few kilometres before joining the Pennine Way - and the delightful (not) flag stones over to the Wessenden valley. I had been leap-frogging a bit with fellow Glossopdale runner Jo for a while and as we gained the flags we had that silent understanding that we had chosen to run together.

 With no shade the heat was unrelenting as we made our way steadily across the open moorland. Not much breeze to cool us down so the reservoirs we passed were looking mightily tempting. Another harrier was close by, Marie, and the three of us were pretty much together as we got to the check point at the weir crossing. Marie took the lead and stayed there for the remainder of the race. Jo and I stayed together but on the downhill section on the track heading to Marsden I was flagging in the heat. I urged Jo to pull ahead which she did gradually.

On the steep steps down the side of the dam wall of Butterley Reservoir Jo was more or less at the bottom as I started my way down. I carefully took my time on the uneven steep steps, not wanting to trip. At the bottom I was surprised by no marshal or flags and only by chance some walkers guided me in the right direction (the RO agreed after there should have been marshal and/or flags there).

Next up came the horrible steep step ascent to join a small footpath around the cricket ground and golf course (all on private land but arranged by RO for special permission for the race to go ahead). I was pleased to be able to walk all the way up - believe me they were steep and went on for quite a while, 150+ steps I reckon.  At the top the path undulated and I ran on where I could, gaining a few places.

The route took a sharp left over a stile and into trees. As I waited for 2 other runners to get over the stile I looked around and could see a flag immediately right. The 2 runners wrongly went straight on, dropping down where they didn't need to. I overtook them by sheer luck and weaved my way through the trees. a short climb up to just touch a road (fill water bottle from marshal) then sharp left and back onto moorland. Marie was still fairly close and I had just caught Jo up here...we chatted and nudged each other along as the climb gradually eased onto the open moorland once more.

After not too long we were at the point we had turned right onto the flags about an hour earlier....but now we were only 2-3km from the end and perhaps a sub 2hr finish would be possible so I pushed us on a bit, trying to run more than walk, and only walk just enough to recover before picking up the pace.  At the summit we both downed the rest of our water...no point keeping it back now as we'd be finished soon.

I opened up my legs a little as we lost height - knowing that further down the path turns to a stony rutted mess where I'd need more concentration. Jo and me are side by side virtually and we let ourselves enjoy the feeling that it'll be over soon!!!

At some point we both wondered where the finish line was....an important point to know and one we didn't have the answer to. Nothing for it but to push and hope we'd get the sub 2hrs I really really wanted.  A mile or so later we rounded a corner and some spectators and runners who'd finished appeared....yey, the finish line was just there. I think we both put a 'sprint' on for the finish, with Jo finishing about one second ahead of me.

Phew! Downing a few cups of water I'm told the prize giving is happening in like 5 mins and Tim has finished in 2nd place....scuttling down the road to Kilngreen Church where the race HQ was I meet Tim and sure enough he had come in 2nd. Brilliant. He gets a prize and I'm more than happy finishing in 1hr 53mins and 32seconds. 38th female out of 81 and 11th/19 in my age category. Full results here.

Prize giving came a little later, giving us plenty of time to raid the cake tables and replenish our energy stores!!! This is such a good race, if you bring a homemade cake you get your entry fee back (which I spent on buying other peoples cakes). I'd taken a chocolate brownie 'bog' which went down well but was nowhere near the standard of many of the cakes on display.

Glossopdale Harriers came away with plenty of prizes - 1st and 2nd place overall, 1st lady, 1st Lady under23 and 1st male team, with 23 of us getting past the finish line and to the cake table!! Tim has also blogged about his race on TestedToDestruction.

Glossop MDOC Orienteering event

The MDOC orienteering events always guarantee a good run, a great test of navigation and equal amounts of fun. So when I heard there was one happening in Manor Park, Glossop, it was a done deal that I'd enter. Taking place on Saturday 24th March the organisers timed it to start after parkrun.

So after a very early start to see Tim off for the 4 Inns race (3.45am alarm!) I got myself across to Manor Park and ran parkrun. Some good socialising with fellow parkrunners and Glossopdale Harriers filled in the 45mins or so until we could start the orienteering course.

Myself, Emma and John all opted for the long course, which would take us out of Manor Park but not by much. It'd been a while since I've done an orienteering event, so my first few check points (CPs) were slower than they should have been. The O-maps never show names and while beautifully drawn, the colours and symbols are different to the usual OS maps I use so it took me a while to sync back into reading things at speed. There's also the scale difference at just 1:5,000 whereas I'm used to 1:25k.

I was the first of us three to set off, and with 3 other courses in the park all following different routes I made sure not to get drawn into following anyone. Do your own nav, trust only yourself.

CPs 1 and 2 in the park were quickly followed by our first CPs out of the park. Down High Street East and I'm onto CP3 quickly, then a long leg (though still only about 400m) to CP4. I could soon see that Emma was not too far behind me. My promise to just have a relaxed run around the course soon turned into 'you're being chased, don't slow down' mode!!  I contemplated just letting her catch me but each time I thought she had me, she disappeared as I pushed on to the next CP.  I was thinking my local knowledge might be helping a little too - o-events are so much smoother if you recognise where you need to get to and just head off without needing to do the micro-nav, especially urban ones.

CP5 and 6 ticked off then round to CP7 - then a long drag uphill to CP8. Surely Emma would catch me on that leg? Nope. I'm dibbing and away as she rounds the corner. By now I'm in O-mode - seeing where the CP after the next one is and route planning as I move. As I left CP8 I knew my route to CP9 so could just run run run. A small uphill road allowed me to plan CP9 to 10, then back into Manor Park.

Quite muddy in places

The great thing about o-events is that there are numerous people all running around clutching maps - lots of hello's and smiles as you pass each other. On this event there were several times where you nipped to get a CP then doubled back....all to the bemusement of non-runners who clearly were wondering what the heck all these people were doing!

Back in Manor Park and CPs 11 through 16 are ticked off. Turn the map over for the remainder of the course all within the confines of the park, but taking you to each far corner. Lots of doubling back, lots of double checking I'd got to the correct CP. I found the numbering of them really confusing. On the map I was going for say, CP17, which on the ground was #103. So I was having to remember two numbers in my head....and then be thinking of the next CP and related two numbers....

By the 20th CP I was quite number fatigued...and still had Emma chasing me down. She was quicker than me from CP21 to 22...and down the steep muddy bank to CP23. I was still in her wake at CP24 and up (past the start/finish area) to CP25 where we took slightly different route, popping out at the CP only just behind her. Emma made a slight nav error setting off in the wrong direction and allowing me to catch her up....and then she paused to recheck her map for CP26 but I know where it was....I overtake....down to the far side of the kids playground and it's just the run in to the finish.

Emma and I at the finish
(despite the banner in the background!)

So much for my easy run round the course. Emma literally dibs right behind me on the final CP and I'm sprinting to the finish....no way is she getting me now. A moot point given she set off after me so is most likely going to get a quicker finish time anyway. But, it's good to push after 6km of running around dibbing CPs (and after parkrun) and it made Emma work hard for the last bit too!!

Great fun. Had Emma not been right behind me my time would have been a good chunk longer. As it was, I was pushed and managed to come 2nd Glossopdale Harrier and 5th overall in the event. Quite probably my highest ever placing!!

Apologies for the lack of photos. If you haven't gathered, I was hot-footing it around with Emma chasing!!

Provisional results here.

Kinder Trog Fell Race 2017

The day dawned claggy. That should have put me on high(er) navigational alert. I knew a decent chunk of the race route. Fairly confident I'd say, but totally in the knowledge of where I'd get the map out. Well, me, along with many others took some interesting route choices in the clag. This was going to be one tough fell race for me - distance, ascent and the shear challenge was all a bit daunting.

This is a race with a description of 25.7km and 1062m ascent. I did a bit more than that!

After arriving early to register I walked the final kilometre through the village just so I wouldn't disgrace myself by getting lost on the last bit. Back at the scout hut things were getting busy, numbers being pinned on and Glossopdale Harrier club mates arriving.

10.55am and we're all gathered on the road ready to go. I was chatting with Cheryl when suddenly we were off...no shout of 'Go' or any sort of race organiser briefing that we heard, but then we were near the back of the pack.

The first 9km or so is pretty much all up hill. And my lungs knew it. I set off with the aim of completing the race, not pushing and punishing myself by blowing up on that first section so I eased to a walk fairly soon on the climb up to Lantern Pike. It was humid and the threat of rain and clag on the tops loomed.

With plenty of people around me we made our way over the fields and down to Monks Road. What a super boost to see Andrea and Brae on the track, then Julien, John H, Alasdair and Dave H on the road. It is brilliant to see club mates out supporting, thank you.

Onwards, I grabbed a quick glass of water from the marshals then crossed the roads. The marshals were brilliant and actually stopping cars for us. The next section was a combination of run/walk as we climbed towards Kinder past Burnt Hill.

Near Burnt Hill, thanks to Frank Golden Photography for the pic

The dreaded stone flags appeared soon enough. I got my head down and thought positive thoughts! Cheryl had pulled away long since but I had caught a glimpse of her ahead when I cross the main road. Too far to catch now, and that put me as last Glossopdale Harrier but still smiling because I was out doing it.

I ate a little, kept drinking and got myself up the steep stone steps onto the Kinder Edge path. At some point between the flags and here I'd put on my waterproof. The rain was now falling heavier, not just misty moisture and it was being blasted into my right ear so I reluctantly put my hood up, knowing I'd be heating up quickly.

I'm not a fan of the running around the edge path - rocks sticking up all over the place mean you have to pay constant attention to where you put your feet. This means I only tend to go that way when it's clear as the views are amazing. Not today - visibility at perhaps 50m at best shrouded us in rain and clag. I fell into a rhythm and saw three other runners not too far ahead. Knowing this section can seem like a long way in the clag (Kinder Downfall race in 2012 was totally clagged in too) I pushed myself on to catch them.

From not too far after the steep climb up, to somewhere above Cluther Rocks we were in a train of four. Hardly a word spoken, each in our own world. There was one chap who was mostly at the front and he was setting a nice pace. I could have gone faster, but this was good for me, steady, rhythmical and sensible given we weren't halfway. I loved the mesmerisation of our footfall and the pace that slowed to a walk on the slight inclines and rockier sections. Then picked up to a run naturally.

At some point after Red Brook and before the trig there's a section of rocks you need to climb up through and the guy at the front beared off to the right around them. I reminded myself I was running my own race so kept on the path I knew to be right. The other three runners dropped away in the clag. Cairns appeared like ghosts out of the mist. I knew I'd passed the trig point but couldn't see it. Then the triangle path of paving appeared and I was sure, totally sure, I needed to go right. That was my mistake.

So on the wrong route I trundled along. At some point I knew I was wrong. There'd been runners appearing from various directions already then all of a sudden Cheryl appeared coming towards me!! A short discussion later and we were continuing on my 'I know this is wrong but think I can put it right' route choice. She decided to be 'misplaced' with me rather than strangers. I also thought it better to drop out of the clag and put it right, rather than retrace steps and not really know where to go, wasting time. Without finding the trig point and then following a bearing you could wander up there for a while.

Sure enough we popped out on the Kinder Downfall route after negotiating the steep steps of Kinderlow End. We resigned ourselves to the climb back up to Edale Cross to pass the check point. The amusing clag-lost runners were all around - some looked like they were wandering aimlessly over towards Oaken Clough and I heard later some had gone down Jacobs Ladder.

The next section was a down and steep up to pick up the bridleway past Mount Famine. We kept a good pace and soon enough were at the top. The usually very boggy path was nicely dry and before we knew it we were on the descent to the next road crossing.

Having a good natter on the bridleway heading to the road crossing to Peep O Day
Thanks to Frank Golden Photography for the pic

Another friendly face (Carl) appeared and boosted our moral. The road crossing was negotiated safely then the climb up to Big Stone. It teases you, sitting up on the horizon, seemingly getting closer but feeling like it isn't doing so. We got there in the end, along with cramp hitting Cheryl's calves. Finally the last climb was done and we were at about 3hrs 30. Could we finish under 4 hours? We had a vague idea how far it was but pace was slowed a little as we did map reading necessary to keep us on the right paths. Plus cramp stops, then on the final descent though the trees to Phoside my right knee started to be really painful with each foot fall. Ouch! Nothing for it but to carry on. Forward progress will get you there in the end, however steady.

Across the two fields and the really muddy bit you couldn't avoid - right up to my calves! Down the slippy concreted track and the final road crossing to a massive cheer from Des (cheers for that, made us smile!!). Through the car park with about 2 minutes to go until our self-imposed (well mine I think) deadline....across the bridge....into the field!! yey! Once Cheryl realised that was actually the finish she stopped insisting that I left her to push on....we crossed the line together, hand in hand and smiling - 3 hours 59 minutes and 42 seconds. And we weren't last. Not that it really would have mattered because we finished.

The finish line still had a good few runners and supporters there who cheered us in - that was wonderful. Thank you all.

Thank you to the race organiser, marshals, tea and sandwich providers, photographers, those who supported and anyone else involved. It's a really tough race, challenging conditions and one which I will definitely be doing again. (at least I should get a pb if I don't get misplaced again :) )

A big thank you goes to Cheryl for the delightful company - I'll get misplaced with you in any race :)

My record of the route is 26.8km and 1181m of ascent....so a bit over on both counts. I am really pleased with my time and will be back.

For your amusement - the route choices taken by the racers!

As a final note (rant), my experience was a little damped by a few other runners. Please, if you are going to do a race where it is advertised with these abbreviations  - "ER, PM, LK, NS" - read the descriptions and do your homework. NS means you need Navigational Skills. Yes the route was "PM - partially marked" but NS means you might actually need to get your map and compass out, or recce the route beforehand. Don't constantly ask those around you which way to go, is this the right stile, do we go down here etc...and certainly don't harangue the marshal to physically show you the route when their job is to take numbers of other runners approaching to ensure the safety of all. It was tiresome to hear your tirade. It is your responsibility to learn the skills required for the race you have entered. Rant over!

Wincle Trout Fell Race

The motivation to run this race was pretty much entirely fuelled by the novelty that each finisher receives a trout! What a random and useful souvenir to receive by going for a run! This year's race was also one of our Glossopdale Harriers championship races, so it seemed right that I run it.

Tim and I haven't been to Wincle or the area before so drove down really early with a picnic and a plan to recce the start and finish in a leisurely manner before the 2.45pm start. As it happens, we got there so early we walked around the whole route in the glorious sunshine. I do like knowing what is coming along the way in a race so this was a very helpful recce walk.

The route is a loop taking in a few steep descents, a good section through forest on the Dane Valley Way, onto moorland and enough rutted farm fields to mean I didn't want to fully let go on those descents for fear of turning an ankle. There was also a refreshing river crossing and nettles to dodge. Each third year the race starts in a different place, the top- middle- or bottom of the hill. 2017 was the toughest finish, being entirely uphill to the fields high above the Dane River.

crossing the River Dane

letting my legs run free on the firm grass

the final uphill zig-zags were hard on energy sapped legs

the finish straight - more uphill and I just couldn't get past anyone

The race was 8.6km and took me just over an hour. I am pleased with how I ran - measured effort without breaking myself. I always feel like I should be able to give more in a race but at the time it feels like I am putting everything into it. I'd recommend this race to others for sure, the village fete was worth the £1 entry fee with traditional stalls and lots to see. Thanks to the race organisers - the course was wonderfully marked and marshaled, giving the runners no chance to go wrong.

Lantern Pike Dash fell race

For many reasons I chose to run the Lantern Pike Dash fell race this year. The main reason being because I can. Not perhaps because I want to, this race isn't one I would seek out with masses of enthusiasm. But, I can run, so I did run.

It is a ridiculously short race, departing from a field behind the Lantern Pike pub, going up to the trig at the top of the hill then turning and coming straight back down. 2km logged on my watch and an unconfirmed race time of 29:43. I ran with a running mate from the Glossopdale Harriers - her very first fell race and we were aiming for a sub 30 minute so target hit nicely.

The hill is stupendously steep...no real path, just a vague trod through the grass and heather and bilberry bushes. Going up there were times I needed to pull on the flora....and coming down Mandy did a spectacular slide - deliberately of course. Much merriment and fun was had, and a massive load of us from Glossopdale were there creating a sea of blue and orange.

Mandy and I...at the very top and about to round the trig before the descent

Thanks to whoever took the photos and to Mandy for a brilliant 30 minute dash up and down a hill on a gloriously sunny day.

Glossopdale Harriers 2015 Championships

In past years the format for the Glossopdale Harriers club championships has been that the highest finishing runner in a race is awarded 30points, 2nd highest gets 29 points and so on. My attempts at being competitive have been somewhat lacking, partially because my desire to race competitively isn't all that strong, and also because our club has some very competitive ladies. The outcome of which leaves me low down on the champs table, and no chance of a prize.

There was also the danger that the same few ladies (and men) would always be prize winners...and it's not that I race to win stuff (fell running prizes are often as glamorous as a pack of toilet rolls!)...but...it's nice to be recognized for putting in effort throughout the year. It was with great delight (to me) then that the club committee changed the prize giving, with anyone who completed 7 races would be awarded a special prize in recognition.

Roll on the months and I just managed to get enough races in by doing the Oldham parkrun - it came down to either that or the Famous Grouse fell race. I had the opportunity to go to Oldham with a friend and help to pace her to a superb personal best time - very satisfying for both of us.

So, we had the club annual gathering and prizes were awarded for all the various categories, I received my print in recognition of completing the races through the year...and then...rather surprisingly I was called up again. This time, to be awarded the Vets Championship trophy in the Fell Champs!! I'm sharing the trophy with the male vet champ, but for the next six months the trophy is on my mantelpiece!

The 2015 champs definitely pushed me to do a few races and distances I wouldn't have done otherwise. Firstly there was a road race, Buxworth 5(miles) and most importantly for me was pushing my limits and completing my first ever ultra race - the 55km Long Tour of Bradwell on a very hot and sunny early August weekend. Kinder Downfall was also a grand run out - where I tagged on the run from Glossop to Hayfield before the race as part of my training for the Howgills Trail 26 Marathon.

I'm now eagerly awaiting the 2016 races to be announced so I can get some in my diary.

Peak Raid: Grindleford

With the first snow of winter on the ground myself and fellow Glossopdale Harrier John headed over to Grindleford for the 3 hour score event, Peak Raid. I don't know the area very much at all, so it would be full on navigation for me, rather than recognising features and bee-lining for them. I really wasn't feeling the love for running with the cold temperature, knowing we'd be running in icy wet conditions underfoot. I don't mind wet, but wet and icy are a sure way to numb feet, pain and reduced enjoyment. But, this race was a counter in our club championships so I put those thoughts in a corner of my head and applied Rule 5.

We were allowed to start early, a bonus since we'd arrived early. John was still sorting kit but I was ready so dibbed, was handed a map and off I went. The map was a 1:25k scale, but as is usual for orienteering style events the colours and markings on the map are different to OS maps. It took me a while to figure out what was path and what was a boundary we weren't supposed to cross, and with lots of lines around the start area it was a challenge to see a clear way onto the hill.

Looking back down towards the woods where CP1 and CP2 are

I chose check point (CP) 1 for my first target. Just get running, moving, and dib to settle the 'OMG am I going to find anything' nerves! It was immediately apparent conditions underfoot were horrible. The forest I was running in from CP1 to CP2 was a quagmire of icy muddy rock-strewn-tree-rooted horribleness. And, I'd lost the path between the two so ended up bashing up a short section through the same plus brambles and dead bracken. Nice. The RO told me later that the paths in the woods aren't clear at all, so I felt a bit better.

So I'm now about 15mins in and feet going numb. Not good. My body was warm enough, hands even sweating enough to take gloves off for a while. But feet....gone. Keep moving. That's all I could do to try and get some warmth back to my toes. This was the pattern throughout the event. Toes would get some feeling back, just to be plunged into more icy wet bog or marshy quagmire on the open moorland, or getting the calves cold as well as I bashed across the snow strewn heather to reach CPs or chose to avoid the icy paths by running in the heather to the side.

Climbing up towards open moorland for CP13

From CP2 I climbed up onto the moorland - no idea what its called as orienteering maps don't have names on! CP13 was my next target, a small standing stone at a random point near the path. With good visibility other runners were hitting the CP and making an easy CP even easier.

Now choices. Go on, get CP 15, 14, 10 and then onto 11....and risk feet going silly cold? Or do a shorter route, get a minimum of 5 CPs (my mental minimum on these type of events) and get back a bit quicker to defrost. As I stood at CP13 weighing up the options the wind picked up. I'd got sweaty running up and along the moor, and now the wind chill hit and my body rapidly cooled. That decided it for me. A shorter route, enjoy the good visibility and get back to plentiful cups of tea in a warm room a bit sooner.

As I turned to retrace my steps and pick up the edge path (along White Edge I'm told) a herd of deer ran across the path only 30m ahead of me. Wow. If I'd pushed on to CP15 and the longer route I would not have seen them. Beautiful.

Deer on the horizon and right. Note the wonderfully inviting icy and boggy path in the foreground!

The edge path was decent running, treacherous in places with the boggy bits not quite frozen enough to trust running over, the stones skimmed with glistening ice, and the heather coated in soft wet snow. Pick your best line and go with it. The valley beneath had mist rolling in and out of it making a good distraction from the toe situation. There were more deer on the moors below the edge too, and some highland cows.

The path along White Edge...where it looks clear it was actually ice

I noted the next feature I needed to nav to and tucked the map away to enjoy the run...run walk run, hop, bash toes, slip, fall, run walk....the rhythm went on. Knoll passed (my ticking off feature), I could see the trig point ahead and knew I now needed to bash across open moorland to a 'gulley' and CP11. Other runners once again made the nav too easy; it would have been much different if it were claggy!

Looking back from near the trig point towards CP12 and CP13

With plenty of time in hand I went up to the trig point. Now I can definitively say I have been to that trig...which on checking an OS map is on White Edge/Big Moor. From here I pondered going to get CP4 then CP3, or the other way round. I decided to drop down and across the open moorland to the edge below - Curbur/Froggatt, not sure which. I can safely say if I never cross that bit of land again it won't be soon enough. Horrible marshy, boggy, grass tufty-ness. Plus ice and snow. Yey! I bet it's lovely running there on a dry summers day....not yesterday though. At the edge path my decision was made. My feet were proper numb to the point I was kicking things and not realising until I semi-stumbled.

CP4 was away from the finish and through more forest. I did not fancy an additional 2km in the same stuff I started the run. I turned right and picked up CP3 without any difficulty, returned to the edge path then headed back to the finish. The route back wasn't entirely straight forward...the boundary lines and contours all blurring a little as the wind picked up and my eyes watered in the cold air. I took my time and hit each turn and feature bang on.

I finally got to a point in the forest I recognised, not too far from CP1 I'd clipped earlier and put the map away, with no rush in my legs going back to the finish. I still have well over half an hour to finish in. Then I realised that if someone else got the same points as me time would matter, I'd be best to push on and get back as quick as possible. So, a final lift to the pace and I'm running across the final field, across the bridge and dibbing at the end. 165 points gained from 6 check points, and with about 34mins to spare. Oh what I could have done with a warmer, less icy day. Never mind, I thoroughly enjoyed my run and would like to go back to explore the area again - seek out the deer that I'm told live around White Edge and Big Moor.

Results have now gone live, I finished as 7th FV40 out of 12 (class split results) and 88/115 overall (overall results).

A big thank you to John for driving us safely to the venue and back, and to the race organisers for a well-planned event with copious tea and biscuits afterwards. Superb.

Shelf Moor Fell Race 2015

Time once again for the local Shelf Moor fell race to be organised by the Glossopdale Harriers. I'd volunteered again this year to help put out the flags on Saturday and then sweep the race route on Sunday. Both days had glorious weather and the views onto Bleaklow, Kinder and beyond with the blazing purple heather were fantastic. I hope the racers took a brief moment to glimpse the beauty on race day!

The Saturday Flagging Party:

Sunday's race day - not many pictures as I was too busy running at the back of the race:

And a final photo to show off the beautiful heather, taken on a guided run I lead about 10 days before the race:

Paddy Buckley: support crew perspective

Glossopdale Harrier and member of Glossop Mountain Rescue Team Alasdair Cowell put out an email a while back asking for support on his Paddy Buckley round. Having helped out on the Bob Graham round he completed (along with other harriers) it was an easy yes to being part of his crew. It would be a delight and honour to help out, so Tim and I blocked out our calendar and studied the maps. Al runs at a pace way faster than I can, so helping on the hill wasn't an option for me; being an organising type of person I gladly offered to be road support at all the crossings - chief brew person and keeper of Al's kit for changes.

Not many have heard of the Paddy Buckley round so here's a quick summary: it's a long distance challenge in Snowdonia, Wales covering around 100km and summiting 47 peaks with a whopping 8500m of ascent...and descent! There isn't a specific time limit, but going sub-24 hours puts you among a small and select group of hardy fell runners. Sounds hard enough on paper, running it and staying focused to get to the finish takes a high calibre and dedicated runner.

I've seen how much hard training Al has put in over the last 6-12 months preparing for this round. Countless hours reccying the route, weekly long runs in some challenging conditions over winter (I think there was a 30-odd miler in the knee deep snow one day). He deserved to be successful on the back of his training. I'm sure we'll hear from the man himself how it went from his perspective, but I wanted to write a few words about what it's like to be road support crew.

Preparation
We had a few meetings over beer and studying the maps. Al was very relaxed about the timings for the round just having a guide time for each leg set out. No planning to the enth degree for each peak, he wanted to do the round and enjoy it. Support runners put their names down and in the final few weeks there was the usual double-checks of the timings, making sure I had the route in my head and where I needed to be at each point. Al got photos to me of the exact spot he would like to meet at the end of each leg which was a great help, especially since I'd not been to all the crossings.

Before the start - Llanberis
Tim and I drove down on Saturday to meet up with Al and family for a pre-run dinner in Llanberis. Our 2 hour journey turning into 4 hours but we arrived in plenty of time anyway. Warning texts of the traffic chaos were sent to the others. We ate, chatted, and around 5.30pm made our way to the start point - an arbitrary bench in Llanberis. Final double check of the route back in to Llanberis so us supporters knew which way to be looking in around 24 hours and it was time for him to set off. Tick-tock.....tick-tock.....6pm and he's off!!

last moments before the start - Tim and Al with family in background

18:00:25....Al and his first support runner (Tim Culshaw) go out of view as he heads off down the road and towards the slate mine for his first ascent. Next point we'll see him is Ogwyn in about 4 hours. After a chat with family, the leg 4/5 runners (Zoe Barton and Robin Mitton) Tim and I jumped in the van and drove round to Ogwyn.

and they're off...Good Luck and swift running!

End of leg 1/start of leg 2 - Ogwyn

Not sure what time we arrived at Ogwyn but the midges were out in force. It was a lovely evening with superb views up to Y Garn and Tryfan - and the zig-zag path Al would be descending but we were being eaten alive so retreated into the van with our brew. The plan was for Tim to run legs 3 and 4, maybe 5 too depending on how he was so without too much encouragement he got his head down in the back of the van - a little cramped but he was soon asleep for a couple of hours. I dozed a bit in the front seat but with the car park and hostel visitors coming and going it was difficult to drift off sitting up.

Al on the final steps off Tryfan into the car park

The binoculars were invaluable in keeping me entertained. I couldn't concentrate on reading - without data signal I couldn't follow Al's progress on the tracker so I scanned and scanned the horizon. I lost count of the sheep I thought were Al and Tim C up on the ridge. Finally, I spotted a person on top of Tryfan....WOOHOO!!! Tim B in the van was now awake! I could tell it was Al, and closely behind was Tim C as they picked their way across the summit ridge and started the descent down to us.

Pretty much at the same time Al's family arrived to see him come down. We quickly got the kettle on, Al's kit and the chair ready for him, coffee brewed and an array of things he may need put close to hand.

It seemed like after 3 hours of waiting he took no time at all to reach us. That man can descend. He looked great, relaxed and smiling. Coffee poured, Al drank, restocked his bag and we filled his water bottles. I have to say, although Tim C was running with him Al was doing all his own navigation and carrying ALL his kit. He'd point blank refused for anything, even water to be carried for him back in Llanberis.

Tim C arrived soon after Al and I got him water and a brew. Sadly Tim C didn't feel up to continuing on with the next leg so Tim B was super-quickly drafted in to run with Al. It was always a safety back up having Tim B on hand but with another runner not being around as planned Tim B (herein just called Tim) stepped in.

Yes Tim B, your torch is working!
Tim C wrapping up after running leg 1

I reckon Al was only stopped for 15 minutes. He'd arrived ahead of his schedule at around 21:20 and left at 21:35. A buffer of 25 or so minutes up as him and Tim ran out of the car park for the ascent up Pen Y Ole Wyn.

Al and Tim B as they are about to leave Ogwyn for the start of leg 2 as darkness starts to fall

Al's family left and Tim C helped me to tidy the kit away, ensuring everything was restocked, flask with pre-boiled water....everything must be organised as the next stop was scheduled to be 1am and I'd need to be on the ball efficient when all around are sleeping.

With the van repacked and darkness encroaching further I drove back to Capel Curig, delivering Tim C back to his car. I was a bit concerned as he didn't look great, but assured me he was OK to drive back to Manchester. Soon enough I was alone. In a dark car park with a few other campers around me. A quick reorganisation of the kit and I had enough space in our little van to get my head down for about 1.5hrs....but not before setting about five alarms....no good being asleep when Al and Tim arrived!!

End of leg 2/start of leg 3 - Capel Curig
Beep Beep.....alarm going off but I was already awake. Someone close by had been playing music at that annoying-just-audible volume for ages and I took a while to settle....must get earplugs handy for the next stop - not in the bottom box that's unreachable from the sleeping bag! I must have dozed a bit, waking again with huh-where-am-I feeling and remembering I needed to turn on the radio (it didn't work for us here in the end).

Luckily I had signal so could see the tracker here. Maybe that kept me awake a little too....it is exciting and addicting watching a blog move across the map, getting ever closer, an ever more urgent need to get torches rigged for lighting, kettle on, food and clothing at the ready. I'd parked in the back car park at Capel, but needed to move the van on to the main road ready for meeting up with Al. What time to move? I didn't want to be sitting in the van on the main road too long, so decided the tracker signal needed to be about 3km out. The final km would be pretty quick - downhill and on the road. So I reckoned I had about 20-25mins to set up.

Tim on left and Al checking feet at Capel Curig

Kit out, lights rigged, kettle on, coffee made. Bang.....torch light coming round the corner and Tim had run ahead slightly to put in Al's order for coffee. Al looked great. The blur of bag restock, coffee drinking, sandwich eating, water bottle filling ensued and after only about 10mins Tim and Al were off again. It's hard as support crew knowing that Al is the main focus but also needing to ensure support runners have all they need too. I hope I got everything ready, sorted and offered in time. I pondered this as I repacked, got the van ready for my next sleep and change over and then checked the map for where I was going to drive. Oddly I'd not really worked out where I needed to be in my head, well I had, just the drive there was a bit unplanned. I'd never been to Aberglaslyn and on Al's recommendation I parked up in Beddgelert rather than the remote and lonely car park at Nantmor. Good call. It felt safer having houses around me!

Al and Tim about to depart Capel

I found a spot by the river and public toilets - very handy. Fixed up the kit in the van, blocked out all the street lights and got my head down. Double-triple check of alarms. I needed to be at Nantmor, only a few kilometres away, by 6am at the latest. Sleep came fairly easily with the babble of the river next to me. I was awake at first light - 5amish. Checking the tracker I could see where Al and Tim were and lay in my sleeping back thankful that the forecast of heavy rain didn't seem to be hitting us....yet. It would certainly make the change over at Nantmor more comfortable for all if it was dry.

End of leg 3/start of leg 4 - Nantmor/Aberglaslyn

Robin and Zoe triple checking the map

Bacon butty for breakfast!

I reshuffled kit so I could drive to the meet point and set up camp. Arriving there around 5.30am or so it was breakfast time for me. I could now indulge in a strong coffee and bacon sandwich! The car park was lonely on my own, just one car parked up but no sign of the owners. It's odd being alone in a strange place, something my inner self struggles with, always alert yet fascinated by the silence of man-made things and just the sounds of nature for company. Soon enough though a van pulled in and Zoe, Robin and dogs hopped out. Super, leg 4 & 5 support crew on duty. Bacon, tea and coffee followed along with lots of chat about the round, running and other stuff. Thankfully we had signal and my initial optimism of the guys arriving fairly quickly were soon dulled as I realised Cnicht isn't a quick hill to get over and the descent a lot longer and gnarlier than I could work out from just a map. Added to that....

Drip-drip-drip....bugger. It had started raining. Later than the forecast had indicated but still bugger! 7am and Al and Tim were still a good 6km out. We re-arranged camp to take benefit of the shelter at the top of the car park. After a while Al's family joined in. Nerves on edge as the tracker edged it's way over Cnicht. When to cook the bacon for the sandwich I'd promised Al...?! What a dilemma! I decided it was time to start coffee and bacon when tracker and us were on the same screen - maybe 3km out. Tim once again ran ahead and came into the car park just before Al. Both soggy as soggy things and Al showing the signs of having run from 6pm through to now about 8.30am the next day.

One very tired Tim relaxing after legs 2 and 3
Al preparing for the start of leg 4
Both sheltering from the rain...and Zoe all ready to go

The rhythm of change overs came and went in a blur. I'm not sure of the exact times for this one, around 8.30am for their arrival and Al leaving with Zoe, Robin and Cofa the collie dog about 10mins later. Whoosh! is how it feels....they run in.....rush to eat, drink, repack, a few photos and they're off. Good luck we shout as they leave the car park on the way to more hills, and as it turned out lots of Welsh weather of the wet kind. Thankfully it seemed from the roadside like visibility should be ok for them. Just lots of wetness.

Cofa the collie, Robin (and map arm) and Zoe all set to take Al to the finish

Zoe leads out and Al waving us thanks as he leaves Nantmor - he was always thanking us :)
Not sure if Zoe had managed to prize one of Al's water bottles off him yet...he was determined to carry ALL his own kit

End of leg 4/start of leg 5 - Pont Caergors

the view up the track

Van packed, a soggy Tim changed into dry clothes and shoes and fed with another bacon sarnie and coffee and we drive the short distance to Pont Caergors. It turns out to be at the trail marathon event's 8 mile check point, right next to the railway line. I bag a parking space behind the marshals tent/feed station to keep out of the rain as much as possible then installed Tim in the back of the van to sleep. Utilising the shelter and table inside I make camp - no sleep needed for me now so I brew up and start the task of pre-boiling water into flasks ready for Al and support in about 3-4 hours. Annoyingly the gas on our stove ran out - we'd used a whole can! Luckily just a short drive down to the shop for more gas and we're back in the prime parking spot and brewing up.

A couple of trains went past

and lots of runners, including Paul from Pennine!

Tim relaxing in the shelter

The next few hours were quite entertaining for me as I waited and chatted to the lovely water station ladies as we waited for their marathon runners to come through. I was so pleased to be able to shelter from the rain in their tent! Not sure the tarp would have kept me dry and I was really envious of anyone who had a campervan! Al's route off the hill to this point is virtually obscured from site until a few hundred metres away and with no tracker signal and texts not working either we were in the dark. 1pm was the eta according to the schedule and my brain was fuzzy on the times he'd departed the last change. Calculations were blurry so I just kept eyes peeled up the track. Tim reckoned they should make up a bit of time. It turns out Al made up about an hour, so was again about 30mins up. Wow. What a super star.

Al and Robin came in looking good with a very very soggy looking Cofa the collie. Zoe followed soon after having thought it fun to do an extra km or so!! The refuel and restocking went smoothly, Al enjoying a sit down in the tent. His family were all here again giving much needed moral support too. And before we knew it he was off, over the road and on to the very last section. Surely he's done it now? I can tell you now, I was bloody excited for him. Jealous not to be out running and thankful at the same time - he is one speedy chap and massive kudos for keeping the legs churning out the miles in the rain that was still lashing down in horrible waves of wetness.

Zoe, Robin and Al refueling

Robin changing socks and shoes

A very wet Cofa the collie dog, support on legs 4 and 5

Quick photo before they headed out on the last leg...with Robin's other dog (not running) and nephew who really really wanted to run with his uncle!

and they're off again....the final leg has begun

Wow. Just (just!!) the final leg to do. We chucked stuff in the van (less organisation needed now as just the end to contend with) and drove over to Llanberis. Tim was alert enough to navigate over some tiny roads thankfully. Note to self....ensure the driving routes are also imprinted to memory for my next support crew job.

We mooched around a damp Llanberis for a few hours, constantly glued to the tracker screen. Had a delicious hot chocolate and then dinner so we'd be fueled up ourselves for the drive home later. With every check of the tracker excitement was growing. I wanted to stop strangers to explain why I was glued to my phone, explain that my mate was doing an amazing run....in that rain....on those hills. Wow.

End of leg 5/finish - Llanberis

Closer and closer he was nudging the tracker blob towards us. The ascents were gripping to watch, we were willing them on, counting contours left to climb and relief as he got to each descent. Finally he reached the top of Snowdon....oh to have been there to witness that, then a ridge and just a few blips (which must have felt like massive mountains with each metre to be gained), Moel Ellio....his final summit and just (just...what a word!) the descent down to Llanberis.

The view from the finish. Proper Wet Clag and Lashings of Rain coming down.

The trail marathon compere had been roped in and was gaining excitement for Al too, putting out announcements over the speaker system to the crowds. I wonder if Al heard any? Eventually, after a lot of binocular gazing up the hill and working out 'which scree' we were each referring to Al came into sight. Bloody hell he's going to do it. Only (only!) a few kilometres to go, through the houses and BOOM....

literally the last few metres

here he is!!!!!!!!!!! 17:20 or so and well under 24hours. After regaining his composure after touching (falling into) the finish bench, and his start point 23hrs and about 20mins earlier Al enjoyed a super-human-hero's welcome running down the finish straight of the marathon with his nephew running alongside and the compere cheering him in.

permission granted to cross the line!
ignore that time clock, that's for the marathon runners

He Did It. The Paddy Buckley round in well under 24 hours.

Congratulations and hats off to Al. What a run. What a day. Such a pleasure to have supported him in all aspects. I can't wait for his well deserved holiday to finish and him to return to Glossop so we can buy that man a pint.

That smile says it all

I'm sure I've rambled on a bit, missed out some stuff, probably confused some bits too. Life as a road supported may appear to be a lot of sitting around but on this round, apart from the overnight 4-5hours at Beddgelert there wasn't a lot of down time. Just lots of driving, kit prep, binocular gazing up the hills, getting excited, tracker updating and brewing up. Easy? Yes and no. The key is to be organised, know exactly what the runner wants when and where and ensure they're looked after. And don't forget the support runners. They also need feeding and watering, their bags to be in the right place at the right time, and all the car logistics to be in order. I think it all worked on this one, and thoroughly enjoyable too. Next time I'm borrowing a camper though!

Never doing leg 3 again....are you boys!