trail – Page 6 – Stilton Striders

5th Sep 2015 – Man Vs Mountain

So it was off to the beautiful Snowdonia again for the 20 mile, (query 22 or query 24 mile) Man Vs Mountain Event. The race began in the historical Caernarfon Castle for the 1211 runners, 1020 of these being male and a smaller number of 191 females. The weather was certainly on our side as I set off at 8.15am in the second wave of runners as we all attempted to squeeze through the castle fortress.

All of the runners were in good spirits which always creates a fantastic atmosphere and once again I chatted to various people, whether they wanted me to or not! The views were stunning and due to the fortune of clear weather you could see for miles which helped numb any pain that makes itself apparent as your legs realise once again what you are doing to them.

Just before you reach the summit you are clocked in to check no one is lost en route and then it’s your choice to go the wee bit further to the summit at 1085 metres. This, in my mind, is a no brainer especially on a sunny day. I hugged the summit and the only photo evidence I have of me being there was from a German Surgeon who took my picture, I also think he will be the only one with a copy!

I took the descent at a steady pace down into Llanberis and waved to the passengers on the train. The support from the many walkers visiting Snowdon was fantastic with lots of cheering on! Once I reached the 2nd Pit Stop, which was like a tuck shop that you physically felt unable to eat any of, I knew that I must be at around mile 18 which meant the Vertical 1km climb was coming up. I was lucky enough to have completed the Snowdon Half Marathon in July with Luke Eggleston so the route became familiar and then it dawned on me that myself and Luke had already encountered some of this 1km stinger of a climb!

The climb is timed for those crazy enough to run up it, apparently someone completed it in 10 mins! Once at the top I was clocked in again by a marshal and was told I was the 14th female, I could not believe my ears! So with hearing this and eating a lump of Kendal Mint Cake I was spurred on and started to pick my pace up. I reached the abseil area where your chip time is stopped due to any queuing and then picked up again at the bottom of the abseil.

Then came the water jump which I was dreading. After choosing your gang plank you jump into cold water from a height of about 17ft and then after getting your breath it’s a short swim to get out. Luckily friends were here cheering me on which was very much appreciated. Once out it’s a short run to some more water with some little obstacles and then another wee run before a 25 metre swim. At last I had completed the water part and was dragging, what now felt like, a very heavy body to the final 3 obstacles.

The first 2 were 7 foot walls, I utilised a metal rail to flop over in a very non-military fashion the 1st wall and then a kind chap offered a leg up for the 2nd, then the final obstacle was in site and with the use a of a rope I pulled myself over and then I leapt over the finish line! I completed the event in 4hrs 42mins and was the 8th female back. I was over the moon!

I have a huge thank you to say to all of the runners at Stilton Striders, because I can honestly say if it was not for your support and training there is no way I would ever have finished in such a time. Also being part of the team that completed the half and full marathon up Snowdon in July was also a huge learning curve, less wine the night before being one of them. So thank you all and bring on the next race! [Katie]

31st Aug 2015 – Old Dalby Hill Race

The 3rd Old Dalby Hill race held again naturally on Old Dalby day in very wet conditions, she would definitely be taking a stud today.

A small but high level field of rainproof runners, quite a few shirts from both Ivanhoe and Barrow Runners but a massive contingent of Stilton Striders! Reigning two-time champion Tim Hartley of Barrow out injured wouldn’t be able to defend his crown thus we placed our hopes on a Stilton victory after such a good week.

Race starts at 11:10 with Luke Eggleston doing his stung cat routine (!), getting the excuses in early (3rd event of the weekend, don’t like short races, wearing meagre shorts I should’ve saved for my wedding night) I more or less think that being near Fell legend Greg Pettingill is a good pacing move (who similarly did the fell race yesterday).

The fast initial dash upon tarmac for the first half mile is quickly replaced to a groan as we go off road into `moon boots` the second ploughed up field we come to. Throughout the race there are five of us interchanging positions pretty much continuously myself (Rob Beers), Greg, Matt Atterbury, Mike Bryan and Michael Atton depending on our strengths it’s a really good fight.

For me I lost it a bit coming down the steepest part in Old Dalby Woods, similarly like myself Greg mentions he isn’t the best at stiles either. I come in as 7th Strider just behind Greg and Michael which shows the quality of runners we had out today and how much strength in depth we are starting to show as a club now.

Jay Barton came 2nd overall, excellent considering it’s not his terrain at all and he raced yesterday (Coming first!), Katie Hateley 1st lady and 1st local lady, Mike Bryan 1st local male runner and some great individual running from quite a few.

Superb goodie bag courtesy of the Grange at Asfordby Hill with a very welcome and large scone in it, however the rain made short work of the paper bags they came in to which we all had a friendly dig at Houghty for! [Rob]

Full results:

2 Jason Barton 31.04
4 Jim Hatherley 32.44
8 (1st local) Mike Bryan 34.00
9 Michael Atton 34.03
10 Matt Atterbury 34.12
11 Greg Pettingill
12 Rob Beers 34.29
17 John Houghton 37.49
18 Michael Cooke 38.56
20 (1st lady, 1st local lady) Katie Hateley 39.07
23 Andy Nicholls 40.46
27 Luke Eggleston 41.29
29 Tony Allen 41.35
37 Steve Boylan 47.33
45 Stuart Gregory 55.22

29th Aug 2015 – Runner Bean 12hr

Not formally a race so doesn’t really count; this initiative was seen as a celebration of 30 years of our neighbour club Barrow Runners. The idea was to use the grounds of Prestwold hall and test run a 12 hour event, totally free to enter (with proceeds to charity) not serious in the slightest with people running either all day or a lap (5 miles) when they chose at anytime during the day.

The event started at 8am with the Husband/wife team of Clive and Jenny Kent (known as “Time for Tea”), Rob Beers’ multi- Club team (“Five in a Bed”) and the Melton Running Club collective (“Just scoff more cakes”) of future Striders representing “Meltonium” .

Rather wet and dewey underfoot initially but the offroad course around the grounds is very scenic and well thought out, dare I say a fair bit of undulation and some very steep climbs up bankings. From watching the Porsche racing on the driving circuit to almost navigating the equine course to the wooded bit near the Church which comes out nr the Hall a pleasurable course indeed.

I’ve no idea how well everyone did; I left having done five laps as had a fell race the next day and ever improving Jenny Kent was on her fourth! No idea how many she got in the end but ultra Clive managed seven! The MRC contingent all managed at least 3 laps each also that’s 15 miles, offroad!

I really hope that Barrow Runners do put this on next year even if it’s used not a competitive event, even as a hippy festival with running it worked brilliantly with lots of friendships made over the weekend and a good sum for the charity. [Rob]

16 Aug 2015 – Trail des Hauts Forts, Morzine

This incredible race now in its seventh year is growing in popularity, with 150 entrants taking on the 26 mile route and nearly 500 tackling the 13 mile route. And so it was that four intrepid Striders stood at the start line at the centre of the very popular and beautiful ski resort of Morzine poised ready to tackle the infamous off road course.

Conditions on the day were bleak to say the least, heavy rain and low temperatures, reminiscent of the Snowdonia marathon only a few weeks before. Because of inclement weather some last minute course changes had to be made adding an extra 400 metres of elevation and 2 miles in distance, in total 15 miles and 2200 meters of climb, this is an epic! As we set off all seemed fine and soon settled into a comfortable easy pace, nice and steady, knowing what was ahead. Despite climbing and sleeping at altitude on a nearby Italian mountain (Gran Paradiso) a few days earlier we all felt the effects of heavy exertion at altitude 2400 metres on the highest point of the course. Understandably this race is used as a qualify for the ‘Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc’.

First Strider home in an incredible debut performance Mike Bryan 3 hours 27 (138th) followed by Daniko Milko Fastidio in an excellent 3 hours 42 (189th) not far behind a bedraggled John Houghton in 3 hours 46 (208th) then wife Louise Houghton 3 hours 58 (257) despite 2 extra miles and 400 metres being added recorded a course PB!

This race can be ran over a long weekend break, cheap return flights from Luton to Geneva, Friday – Monday, Morzine is only an hours transfer up the mountain, Good quality affordable B&B’s and great restaurant’s abound. It would be so good if more Striders would consider this race for next year, you’d love it, just ask Mike and Dan! [John]

26 Aug 2015 – Three club challenge

This year’s event was hosted by the Striders, with a course specially designed and hosted by the Houghton clan at The Grange garden centre. After traffic problems caused a delayed start, the 95 runners set off into the last rays of summer evening sunshine on a warm, if a little wet underfoot, evening.

Jason Barton set the early pace, leading the field of 40 Stilton Striders, 30 Wreake Runners and 25 Barrow Runners across the early muddy sections and into the wheat fields. Whilst broadly flat along the River Wreake, the course made its way up three hills – christened “Barrow Bump”, “Wreake Rise” and “Strider Mountain” for the evening – as it headed out to Kirby Bellars and then back towards The Grange.

With Tim Hartley from Barrow coming through to finish the 4.6 mile course quickest, the team challenge was to see which club would get their first 25 runners back with the lowest cumulative position.

Final positions were calculated over a fantastic Tartiflette (and a drink or two), and for the first time since 2009, Stilton came out on top by a slim 8 places overall.

A huge thank you must go to John, Louise and all at The Grange who did us proud, all our enthusiastic marshals and everyone else who contributed – designing, clearing and marking the course, volunteering on the night and, of course, all the runners. It was a great night, with a really positive atmosphere – roll on 2016!

A selection of photos are here.

Three club challenge photos 2015

16 August 2015 – Belper Rugby Rover 30k

Two late injury worries meant only four Stilton Striders running this year`s Rugby Rover 30k, although we thankfully retained Greg Pettingill in a supportive/advisory measure during the race on a nice sunny day in Belper. Myself (Rob Beers), Rich Gray, Luke Eggleston and Vicki Lowe donned the blue and whites and made for the start line, thankfully the time honoured route of 13th anniversary of this race has not changed. Luke, winner of yesterday`s parkrun goes off at the race start like a stung cat despite our best efforts telling him not to. A lovely warm up mile along the canal before the first climb and the more harrowing for many second before quite a rocky and perilous descent along some stunning trail. 5k in and Luke is well within my sights, running well but it`s still very early doors and have to admit knowing the course profile helps as the first half has the steepest climbs. Pass Luke at 8k and then its uphill field upon field towards the radio mast and the highest point, this can be really draining already some are down to a walk.

Pass the pub at Alderwasley and come to my favourite part of the course, its ever changing scenery from running beside a field to through a farm then woodland then a kissing gate, the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. I slow up a little through Shining Cliff woods, tummy issues throughout the race after a party the previous night, last time I listen to `you’ll run it off tomorrow`.

Two years ago it wasn’t all run-able to certainly was this time, come out of Shining Cliffs woods and know I’m on the path home, even the Bovines in the field don’t bother me for once. 18.6 miles is a long way in most people`s books but the undulation (ok sometimes quite hard hills) and terrain do really take it out of the legs so very happy to be getting stronger with age!

Aiming for sub 2:40 and make it in at 2:37 in 42nd place! Rich gets a course PB in 2:48, a very tired but well ran Luke in at 2:50 and Vicki Lowe at 3:14.

A great race which I’ve said many times, friendly and laid back, cheap entry with a great tech T-shirt, even as training it’s a good day out and a lovely course, hope we can get a few more in 2016. [Rob]

15/16 August 2015 – Dig Deep Peak District

DIG DEEP INTRO ULTRA 31 MILES…
Stuart Gregory was the only Strider to head north for the peak district running festival otherwise know as the dig deep weekend. Having put in a fairly slow time last year, a plan had been formulated to ensure a much faster time and with 134 competitors starting the race there was all to play for. A run/walk approach from Stuart up to check points 1 and 2 and put him 8 minutes up after just over 9 miles, unfortunately due to a wrong turn, at the check point it took 45 minutes to get back on to the right route having ran 2 miles in the wrong direction this had already added 4 unexpected miles.

From there on it was mainly smooth sailing as by check point three Stuart had been joined by two other runners and began to make up time, non the less he was still an hour behind his target at the bottom of win hill, which marks the completion of a third of the route. This section of the course can only be walked due to it’s steep nature at an average of 32% with some section at 50%. From the top of Win Hill check point 4 after a brief stop to look at the cracking views, we started to make our way down towards Hope village and the cement works, such a nice feeling to walk fast down a hill ”too rocky to run” and not use one’s legs.

A little bit of indecision at check point five saw more time lost, as we arrived at check point 6 in around 6hr 30m 15.5 miles, just over an hour behind last year. As check point six marks the half way point this also acts as one of the main emergency contact points and provides food, water, a rest stop and medical attention if required. 20 minutes later we were off again, overshooting the turn for Bradwell Edge of over half a mile added further distance as we reached check point 7 after another hard climb and most stunning view.

At this stage Stuart had given up on a PB, and had slowed the pace reaching check point eight 45 minutes later than planned after having to walk a further 2.5 miles, due to coming out at the wrong bridge. Things began to run smoother again and it looked as if we were making a lot of time up as we easily found check point 9, and headed off towards check point ten in high sprits, as it looked like I would at least match my time from 2014. Unfortunately this did not last long as it conspired that we had got lost, it later emerged that we were only around 500 to 600 metres from where we should have been and after trying to find a route down to the valley for around 45 minutes a decision was taken after a few calls to race HQ to walk to the nearby car park around a mile away.

At this point we had already completed the required 31 miles with around 5 miles still to go a decision was taken to avoid the final two check points and take a two hour penalty to finish in a time of 14hr 44m 52s once a two hour time penalty was added for missing the two check points. A number of other competitors had also lost their way in the same location but had managed to find their way back in better light conditions. A good day all round but a little ticker tape required here and there…

DIG DEEP 12.12…

After the previous day, the 12.12 route made for lighter work being fully marked and sign posted and with only one check point. Having completed 31 miles the day before Stuart pace walked much of the route and duly found out where he should have been the day before, confirming his thinking that he was only 500 metres from where he should have been. As Stuart reached check point one he was slightly down on his time from last year, but after picking the pace up on the second half of the course finish in a time of 3hrs 49m 11s, shockingly 16m 41s quicker than 2014. All in all a good weekend was had by all even if we did get lost from time to time… ah well will hopefully do better next year. [Stuart]

1 Aug 2015 – The Railway Ultra

With later in the year some of our club members doing the Ladybower 50 ultra I thought about this as maybe step up for those doing it after being recommended of it by a friend. Myself (Rob Beers), Dan Valencia and Clive Kent travelled down to Coalport, Shropshire alongside the stunning River Severn and just a few miles away from Ironbridge to do “How Hard Can It Be Events” Railway Ultra. The firm are well established for ultra events and the fact that you could bow out at 28 miles or do the full 37 did sound interesting if things got too much.

10:00am start and the three of us take a gentle pace, it’s a lot harder underfoot than I’d have believed certainly better in road shoes and I’ve worn trail shoes with very little give. The trail is a 4.5 mile stretch there and back (so 9.3 miles) which you have to complete four times, didn’t know this before the race! I guess it was quite pretty, apart from an old station and a farm with some animals, knowing where you were landmark wise was pretty up in the air and a lot of guesswork was done. The path also was very uneven and certainly as the miles pressed on we really felt it on the quads, many who went out too quick seriously felt it later. It was quite nice reaching the 4.5 mile stage and having a quick drink and setting off again knowing where the next feed station was, seeing the same people pass, certainly it was very friendly and encouraging.

I took off somewhat on shuttle no 3, and by shuttle no 4 was tracking down an Ultra runner who runs for the England ultra team! I must mention the said lady is also the one who recommended the race to me and must take some of the blame for me doing so many OTT events this year. Unfortunately about 33.5 miles in, suffering with dodgy tum most of the day and fatigue it came the time for a cheeky walk. That swathes of the field were walking and very few were now actually running (Must point out Dan and Clive ran the lot), got going again twice more. The final run I managed to hold on and keep going those last few almost never-ending miles, coming in 10th place and clocking up my greatest race distance of 37.4 miles (in 6hours 5mins)!

Dan and Clive came in together (in 6hours 22mins), a very tired Dan, we were energized and inspired throughout by the great support of Jenny Kent (who also got a PB at Telford Parkrun). Despite the obvious tiredness we had a great day, when it sunk in we were all massively proud of our achievements and promoting Stilton Striders in Shropshire (pity no team prize we’d have won!) [Rob]

26 July 2015 – Snowdonia Trail Marathon

Nine Striders headed off to North Wales for the inaugural Snowdonia Trail Marathon (and half). Both routes were off-road courses that took in a visit to (almost) the summit of Mount Snowdon – via the Ranger Path for the half, and the Pyg Track for the full marathon, which included around 6,000 feet of ascent.

As Llanberis filled with runners and tourists on the Saturday afternoon ahead of the race, the warm July sunshine masked what the mountain weather forecasts were saying – Sunday (race day) would be very windy, wet and would feel like minus 6 in the wind chill towards the top. The organisers announced full body waterproofs, hat and gloves would all be mandatory kit…

Katie Hateley and Luke Eggleston completed the “half” in 3hrs 01min and 3.03 respectively, with the “full” being conquered by Jim Hatherley (5.31), Rob Beers (5.38), Rich Gray (6.25), John Houghton (6.35), Dan Valencia (6.38), Michael Atton (6.40) and Simon Bottrill (6.42).

Full report from Rob is below:

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I entered this not long after it was announced, sounded brilliant and not soon after was joined by Dan Valencia and then it got silly with a whole horde of us being tagged in things and entering it but of course all in a brilliant way.

So somehow we got it all sorted, accommodation, transport, food, directions and made it to Jesse James bunkhouse in Llandeniolen for the nine Stilton Striders doing the race (7 doing the Marathon, 2 doing the half).

Despite rocking up in North Wales to staggeringly nice weather, the forecast for the race on Sunday was quite severe with heavy rain predicted so we thankfully were all well kitted out or so we thought.

The quickly sold out 800 field started at 10:00am in wet weather running both the half and full Marathon with already many people walking in the first mile on the road over towards Llyn Cwellyn. Suddenly avoiding those who chose to start walking or who wouldn’t recognise running courtesy was a bit annoying the first few miles over the mountain path but the field after the top started to string out more on rather a lovely descent where by then the race split in two (half and Full routes).

A mile of road between Llyn Cwellyn and the village of Rhyd Ddu before heading into the trails of Beddgelert Forest which provided some scenic and enjoyable trail running. Into the popular tourist village of Beddgelert itself before taking the path alongside the river that comes out besides Llyn Dinas, very muddy along here and wearing winter fell shoes paid off massively, indeed she did take a stud today.

The course veered the steep side of the Gwynant valley, circumnavigating the lake with some stiff climbs and quite technical woodland before coming out at the Gwynant campside and then the long pull up to Pen Y Pass which was a real stamina drainer.

Pen Y Pass, the highest road in the UK was 20 miles in, so in your head it’s a `mere 10k to finish` looking at my watch and thinking Hmm if this was a Road Marathon I’d be finished by now, the Pyg track for most is un-runnable with huge sections of rocky outcrops and as we ascend higher and into worse weather, many sections are climbs and scrambles rather than even walking. Its 22 miles and in and the temperature is dropping quickly, the rain hammering down and blowy as anything, I can’t explain what this feels like after your already tired from running and all the previous amount of ascent. Seriously ask any member doing the full and given the chance they would’ve retired from the race given the chance, it was severe, making it to the top wasn’t the good bit but getting down a bit further and the temperature rising was much more satisfying. So I reach the top, OK maybe I should point out I’m still wearing my Stilton vest at this point as too cold to put my base layer on, thankfully I’m directed downhill and I make it to train bridge and know I’m going to live to fight another day. Whilst I consider myself and fellow Striders doing this event very strong runners it is a concern for those perhaps not of our ability doing the event and hopefully the race organisers will think seriously about pre-requisites for race entries for the next event of this race.

The long descent down the Llanberis path finally see`s the legs wake up again, although when we hit road again it’s not the easy way back to the finish but were re-directed through some woods, then again at the side of Castell Dolbadarn and then just as I think we’re going towards the old Hospital finally the finish comes into sight.! I know it had been misjudged mile wise but to find out it was 29.3 miles rather than the advertised 26.2 was irresponsible of the organiser, especially given the terrain and the freak weather. The last and most dangerous section of the race 9.3 miles took over 2 hours to complete which really says it all how tough it was.

I had a lovely welcome from Katie and Luke who had done the HM and from Jim when I came in; apparently I was very blank and dazed. I sat there in the hall after dripping wet huddled in my coat before eventually realizing what I`d done, 29.3 miles including Snowdon! And only 7 minutes behind one of Strider`s fastest runners! It certainly took time and kind hearted Jim fetching me a cuppa to realize the magnitude of what had gone before. I know young Simon Bottrill suffering with recurring injury and repeatedly telling anyone who`d listen beforehand he was considering dropping to the half, yet ran the full and was last Strider which he was slightly down about-It doesn’t matter! Your first Ultra good man, massive endurance both physically and mentally to have done it at all, I salute you!

Scariest, toughest race any of us have ever been in bar none, we all felt great we did it and had an absolutely awesome weekend that we will never forget. Thanks to the team who came away hope we can have such a great trip next year wherever it may be, not only an unforgettable race experience but a great bonding experience where tears of laughter were never far away. [Rob]