Calderdale Hike

Sowerby Cricket Club once again welcomed around 350 runners & walkers for this years running of the 37 mile Calderdale Hike. Amongst the masses were myself Tony Hall & Pete Stobbs.

Run over beautiful but rugged moorland of the south Pennines it's listed as a medium distance event in the Runfurther Ultra Running Championship. This event Is not one for the ' novice ' off road marathon runner. It boasts 6500 ft of ascent & the terrain varies from great hard packed bridleways to boggy , rugged tussock covered moorland.

Only after a thorough kit check of which had to include plastic mug? Were you allowed to foot the start line. Mr Stobbs was informed by the kit checker that he should of had waterproof pants with him as the weather is very changeable round these parts!!
The walkers were set off at 06:00 for the long route & 07:00 for the shorter 27 mile option.

The rest of us were set off at 09:00 with pretty much clear blue skies & shorts & T shirts on.

The idea is to visit all 19 check points but how you get between each one is entirely up to you hence putting the onus on self navigation & common sense ( ie do I run the long way over that ridge with the decent track or cut straight across saving a half a mile over tougher terrain )
This was evident very early in the race as by Nab End the field had split with multiple routes been taken. By Stoodley Pike the field had split up & I luckily found myself in a posse of 5 runners 3 of who'd recced the section from Lumbutts to Widdop Res so I could relax & enjoy the scenery & splendid spring weather.

We soon clipped in at Mount Cross with approx 15 miles already completed.
It was at that stage the course took a slight turn for the worse as did the weather. Sunshine was replaced with hailstones and a fine sprinkling of snow & the manageable trails gave way to Hoof Stone Heights & Black Hamildon moor.

The following 3 or 4 miles seemed like 10 as we slogged it out through very boggy terrain until finally we were greeted with the welcome sight of the Gorple Track. From then on the next 12miles was good running passing through widdop res, Top Withins, Tom Sells Seat , Grain Water Bridge & New Bridge.

With the Fellsman in the back of my mind I decided to take 5 at Delf End & enjoy a lovely cup of PG in my earlier presumed useless plastic cup. The hospitality of the volunteers & 7 sugars lifted my spirits as the 30 mile mark clicked by.Having studied the map for the final push I was about to set off when i was caught by two Bingley Harriers who knew exactly where to go. Lucky me again!! We ran the last 7 mile through Jerusalem Farm & on to Luddenden Foot with a chorus of Danny Boy & Show me the way to go home bellowing out of our tired lungs.

The Cricket club was a welcome sight as was the fantastic array of free food that awaited us.

Thanks must go to the amazing marshals & volunteers who gave up ALL of their day for us. The nibbles & refreshment en route were fab as was the cheery welcoming smile they greeted you with at every CP.

Myself & T made it round unscathed & un injured. Pete decided to take flight over one section before remembering he'd left his red underpants & cloak at home landing pretty hard on his knuckles.
Results to follow....