Wednesday 29th June and we're all meeting up in Hope for the annual Wakes fell race. These races are attached to the well dressing calendar and over the course of the week there are various village events culminating with a fete, bar-b-que, etc.
A massive 262 runners lined up this year for what is a tough and challenging course. From the off it's fast paced, cutting across fields and dropping into the lane before heading off for the first climb over the shoulder of Hope Brink. This is a real tester and I soon found myself struggling a bit. Still got to keep pressing on. Once over the crest the path drops down towards the reservoir in a series of twists and turns with the odd uphill bit thrown in. It's not until you're right down nearly at the shores of Ladybower that you turn sharp right and the long toil begins all the way to the summit of Win Hill. Man this is one hell of a slog. But I really like it. Sweating like a (insert your own image here!) I finally gained the Trig point on the summit. No time to admire the view though (and it is great from here looking over the Hope Valley or back towards Kinder) as the downhill charge begins straight away. So on jelly legs I was off like a startled rabbit. Pumping thighs were the order of the day down to Twitchill Farm and then the long run down the drive back to Hope. Fading fast towards the end I had just enough in me for a final flourish over the finish line. Phew! 54mins and 56 secs. Free orange juice and flapjack to finish off a great evening.
No comments:
Post a Comment