Saturday 19th November – Full Tour of Pendle

November 21, 2011
After last years race, I couldn’t understand why people didn’t take a more direct route to CP7 at Mearley Clough – it should be a little bit shorter, but more importantly, an oblique line across the steep hillside should be much more runnable than the very steep descent down the ridge. So I went out and reccied it, armed with garden canes and duct tape (I removed them all afterwards) and worked out a cracking line.
Anyway race day was a fabulous spring-like day and a record field turned up for what is an epic course. Recently, as the starting field assembles I always shuffle aimlessly around, making sure I stay aimlessly within three feet of Albert Sunter who had conveniently turned out in a ashing blue thermal top which contrasted nicely with his red Horwich vest and should be easily picked out.
It always takes me a long time to warm up and I’m not very quick for the first half hour and I was on the limit for the first big climb. In fact, I was on the limit for the whole race. Nicky Spinks, ladies 24 hour fell record holder, strolled past me half way up. I resolved to stick with her as long as possible, which turned out to be a couple of hundred metres until she disappeared off into the distance along with Albert.
The middle section of the race went as expected – nip and tuck with the folks around me. From CP1 to 2 it’s actually downhill all the way. I really enjoyed the Geronimo descent – it was over far too quickly. But I guess it went on a bit too long for the lad in road shoes who I passed. I do wonder whether the road shoes were a calculated risk, or did he just not know about Geronimo?

And then it was the Big End. And – was that Albert up there? I tried not to look up that often, and tried to stay in my own rhythm but half way up it was clear that he was coming closer. Nicky the Sphinx, queen of the fell racers came sauntering past again at that point, with a couple of other Dark Peakers in tow.  “Lawks, but I’m having a bad run!” quoth one of them, “I nearly retired at checkpoint three… Hm, this climb shouldn’t be underestimated, what…”  Blardy, blardy, blar, blar. Have a few jelly babies.

I often wonder what that the type of sustained effort required to race up a climb like the Big End does to you. It certainly makes you dizzy. As I reached the top Albert was just climbing over the stile only a few metres ahead. As I passed him he complained that he had a sore hamstring and couldn’t run downhill. That’s OK then, coz I had a sore hamstring and couldn’t run downhill either.  So then I ran as fast as I could downhill just in case he was lying.

I didn’t break three hours, and I didn’t rush off to do the Heaton Park cross country – must be getting soft.
I walked back up the track for a bit and caught Shuttleworth having a crafty walk – on the flat!
You’d think he’d just done one of the hardest fell races there is.

Mark L.

What a race this is, not for the faint hearted. I had run this last year so knew what to expect, the 2nd half of the race consists of 3 big climbs that just get harder one by one.

I had a good race for a change, the 1st half is an excellent route a long big climb up to the Trig then CP1 then a long fast descent to CP2 at the Nick o’Pendle. The Geronimo descent to CP4 is wonderful, you cant imagine how steep it is till you’ve seen it, like being on the edge of a cliff. Thats the good bits out of the way, now the 2nd half is less runnable for normal people (not counting Mark L here) with 3 big climbs, proper fell climbs, its hard enough just inching your way up there. By the time i got to the last CP my legs were goosed, the last mile on tarmac is hell and yes i stopped for a walk not realising the finish was a hundred yards away down the hill!

See the pictures, a good one of Mike descending Geronimo.

More Pictures

Full results

95 Mark Liptrot 15 V50 Lostock AC 3:07:58
109 Albert Sunter 76 V50 Horwich RMIH 3:11:30
250 Mark Shuttleworth 152 V40 Lostock AC 3:41:40
279 Tony Varley 77 V60 Horwich RMIH 3:48:06
306 Mike Ernill 44 V40 Lostock AC 3:58;47

363 runners

Mark S

Comments

mike ernill
Nov 22, 2011 11:50

great write up mark,glad you had a good race.for me this race lived up to its reputation of being one of the toughest fell races,the last two climbs were painfull,if you are carrying any injuries they will show in this race.still a good day out despite my poor performance.

Mark S
Nov 23, 2011 6:51

A great race/event, not really a race just a question of getting round in 1 piece. This is the last big fell race of the year, can’t wait for the New Year now with lots of races to do in Jan, Feb & Mar.

checkers
Nov 23, 2011 16:46

Great pics I always thought the oblique way down to Mearley Clough was the best route It is so obvious to me as I always look for the easiest way down as I dont like steep descents
I learnt that route by chance when I first did the race

Mark Shuttleworth
Nov 23, 2011 22:44

Mike i just looked my time up for last year – 03:58:44! spooky!

mike ernill
Nov 24, 2011 10:35

Good photos mark,if I had stopped to take them I would have been over 4hrs with my time.well done mark I think you had a storming race and quite enjoyed it.

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