Vanessa Chappell May 25th

A fantastic GVS turnout for the second revival of this classic Lyme Park series race. A cool night but dry underfoot meant that it would be fast going. As usual there was plenty of pre race banter with all the familiar excuses being rolled out. A mass start and a mad dash down to the first bridge and stile meant some bottlenecking before a quick dash along the road section. Everyone was going like the clappers and I was trying to hold a bit in reserve for the climbs. Wrong tactic as it turned out because the queues at the stiles on the climb up to the Bowstones meant that I lost quite a bit of time to the leading pack. Pressing on over the ridge we plunged down into Lyme Park over hard and stony ground before taking a sharp right across the top of Hampers Wood. I could still see Julian and Al not too far ahead but with the climbs to come I knew I was in for a hiding. Up through Lantern Wood and not losing too many places before topping out on the ridge again and turning sharply left, dodging the trees and roots, then emerging onto the fellside for the fast decent to the track leading to East Lodge. Shortly after the Lodge we took a new detour to avoid some repair works at Bollinghurst Bridge that saw us heading up and over the Gritstone Trail to exit on Mudhurst Lane just after Bolder Hall. Again a short road section and my legs were feeling the pace. Oh dear another climb to come up past Rocks Farm before ascending to the ridge behind the Moorside. Here's where I really suffered. I asked all the right questions but got no answers ans so began a painfully laborious jog up, up, up. After the summit there only remained the last descent to the road again before returning to the start / finish area. At least I held on to my position and it was great to hear everyone cheering at the end. Time 50.02; Posn 44th out of 179. Onwards and upwards as they say!