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Pilgrims Cross: An Epic Battle

KAREN WOOD 18 AUG 2014
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It was with some trepidation that I tuned up for this race. I have been doing the fell training on a Wednesday evening with Andy Graham and Wayne McIntosh but I really was not sure I was ready for racing fells that were not covered by the safety net of the Grand Prix. I was talked into it over Facebook during the afternoon with assurances that I would be capable.

The start line is quite a way from registration in a local Working Men's club and I walked up there on my own feeling rather nervous. At the start was the welcome sight of my fell coaches plus Nick Gaskell (what's a road runner doing at a fell race?) and Dale Grimshaw.

The start is slow as the path narrows very quickly up a stony trail and then on to the open fell. Once on the fell I could see CleM runner Big Ron Chappell in front, steadily pulling away from me up the incline. He has beaten me in every race this year but I was determined to keep him in my sights and finish as close to him as possible. Once we reached the trig the route levelled out with some undulation and I was reeling Big Ron in.

We then went down a steep descent (not too scary) and then across a stream with a tower in the background. Ron was just there, but the route started to incline again and the distance between us widened. The route then skirted the top of an army firing range on a foot-wide trod so you really had to watch your footing. Ron slowed over this and at the point the path turned right up a shallow gully I could almost touch him.

The race then dragged up a long steady incline and Ron disappeared into the distance. As I turned to go up another steady incline I was encouraged by cheery marshals "Well done Trawden, you're looking good." I certainly didn't feel it as my lower back started to cramp from going uphill; I must hold myself in a funny position on the inclines!

When I finally reached the top I could no longer see Ron. I knew I was faster than him on the descents (thanks Andy and Wayne for the pointers) so I just thought “Go for it girl!” I pushed on down the hill until the ground suddenly dropped away from me! Where was I supposed to go? "Ahh, there is a stick with a bit of tape on over to the left, off we go down the steep grass."

I almost took a tumble down here, in fact Wayne did and passed a number of people on the way – you never told me that trick coach! At the bottom was another friendly marshal directing me along a path and up the track – more up!

Now I could see Ron again and I focussed on him as he went over the brow of the hill. On to the last descent, which is the way you came up at the start, I really started to open up and the gap between us shortened. I knew that there was a possibility of catching him on the stony path as Ron really slows over this kind of terrain.
I caught him and I as I went past he encouraged me onwards. I pushed on trying to make as much ground as I could.

At the bottom of the path I saw a very welcome sight – my fellow Humbugs come back to cheer me on. I can't tell you how glad I was to see them, it's so encouraging to all runners to have support, but I think those of us who struggle with our running and are near the back appreciate it a little bit more.

The path turns left at the bottom onto a track and Nick ran alongside of me as I turned right on to the tarmac for the last push. I really pushed up here and ran as hard as I could as I knew Ron's long legs would just eat up the Tarmac. I could hear him getting closer and the road to the finish just seemed to be getting longer; but I managed to hold him off and finish in front of him.

Now I didn't break any records or get any prizes but I really felt like I had won the jackpot as I had completed my first 'real' fell race and beaten Ron Chappell!

I can thoroughly recommend this race, it cost just £3.50 to enter, there was superb marshalling and flagging throughout the route and a table full of prizes at the end. There is nothing too steep or technical in it – just ask road runner Nick Gaskell. It was Nick's first fell race too and he finished in an amazing 6th and first V40.

The remainder of the team gave a good showing too. What a great event – just remember the Tarmac at the end is longer than you think! I will definitely have a go at the Golf Ball race next week which is also orgainised by Rossendale Harriers.

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