Wet, Windy Weather defeats many Wensleydale Wedgers
The Wedge entry of 300 closed several weeks ago but in the event only about half that number turned up! Whether it was the horizontal rain, high winds gusting to 50mph or the thought of wading normally tranquil streams that kept people away, those who stayed in for a Sunday lie-in missed an epic LDWA event! Needless to point out but nearly all the Ripon Runners entered were to be seen at the start.
The weather was so appalling that even the preliminary welcome was held inside Askrigg village hall instead of on the road. We are used to the fields between Bainbridge and Semerwater being water logged but this year they provided an additional lake to the Dales scenery. It was hardly surprising therefore that the organisers re-routed the first part of the run along the road to Stalling Busk. Even with a road run for the first 3 miles everyone was wet right through to their undies by this stage. (How can the Chairman be sure of this?)
The following section followed the well-worn tracks onto the high moor above Bishopdale. This section is either a track recently laid down to boulder sized hard core or very soft, boggy grass. Participants take their choice here but on Sunday we were aided by a strong tailwind; if only we had had a spinnaker! The normally benign ditches crossing the moor had become lethal torrents, in some places presenting quite a challenge to runners; it was into one of these that Linda Cadman slipped up to her waist in water, fortunately to be rapidly rescued by John Bull. Was Linda going to give up after reaching the warmth of Thoralby village hall? Most definitely not and after a quick change of clothes she was off again to complete her first (maybe last?) Wedge.
Aysgarth Falls was at its most impressive, in fact a frightening torrent of water so high that the actual falls could hardly be seen. We were fooled for a while when the sun came out over Carperby and a complete arc of rainbow haloed Bolton Castle but this respite could not last, we were missing the rain and wind which returned in full fury for the last section.
The last 7 miles from Bolton Castle (more tea and cake) always seems long but this year we faced head winds making the whole route feel like a continuous uphill climb. It is always with great relief when one is “clipped” at the last checkpoint above Newbiggin as it is then less than 2 miles to the finish, downhill, through relatively benign fields and a final road run to be rewarded with more tea, a meal and this year, a 25th anniversary mug.
The full race report is to be found under “Results and Reports” but we salute Billy Foreman for coming first overall and Anneke Imeson as first lady. All times were slower than normal, a reflection of the dreadful conditions but Robin Kehoe and I managed 6hrs 54 which I thought not too bad for a ruptured right cruciate ligament!
Finally I do salute the LDWA for putting on this event in most challenging conditions and not cancelling as they could so easily have done.
Nov 15