Falls and Castles 18 & 7 mile, 27 Sept
Report by Karen Lennox and Anita Oldham
So, the first, for many of us, organised race in a good few months. Time to put all the ‘lockdown’ work to the test.
Falls and Castles saw the club well represented in both the 18 and the 7 mile race.
There was definitely an air of will it/won’t it actually take place – given recent Covid issues, but MaD seemed determined it would happen. Their organisation of the event to ensure minimal contact and maximum social distancing, whilst feeling a little like death by email in the week before the run, actually ensured the event ran smoothly, seamlessly and faultlessly. The use of a corral system and setting runners off in groups of 6 each minute worked like clockwork and gives hope that further races may be able to follow suit and actually happen.
18 mile
The 18 mile race leaves Bolton Castle and climbs up 1,860 ft of elevation in the first 5 miles onto the moors, down into Askrigg Village and then follows the river around to Aysgarth Falls where it finishes on a cheeky climb back up to Bolton Castle. First home for RR was Ted and possibly 2nd overall but due to staggered start we are still waiting confirmation.
7 Mile
To the race itself. We are all aware there is a final climb – however, I wasn’t expecting the sneaky uphill first mile, which instantly made me question my fitness. This took us up onto moorland where it flattened, thankfully, before we reached the 7 mile/18 mile split. Laughing quietly to ourselves, we took the left hand route for the 7 miler. This fell away, through open moor, a little tarmac and into Carperby woods. The route was well marked and popular with walkers, who all politely stepped aside looking mildly amused, as hordes of gasping runners came pounding through. On past the falls. The route had been altered here a little, to keep us away from the general public as much as possible, but we could hear the water gushing down the falls. Then, a gradual incline began as we turned towards to castle. This, as we know, ends in the final mile slog up to the castle itself, which is nothing like gradual. In fact, it is brutal, seriously damaging overall timings for, I suspect, most if not all of us. It certainly beat me. Then a final few metres to the finish line. First home for RR was Matt.
It’s not an easy race, but it felt great to be out in beautiful North Yorkshire running sort-of competitively again. A grand route, and very well organised. Highly recommended.
Race times are from Strava only as official race times still to be released.
18 Mile
Ted Leahy 02:15:00
Mike Hernandez 02:34:30
Jamie Baker 02:34:40
Dougie Scott 02:41:00
Lenny Lennox 02:41:00
Ady Warner 02:52:00
Andrew Harker 02:51:00
Jenny Jakeman 02:53:00
Lucy Smith 03:23:00
Fiona Hernandez 04:49:00
Karen Lennox 04:49:00
7 Mile
Matt Brooks 00:59:03
Hazel Russel 01:05:00
Anita Oldham 01:07:00
John Garbutt 01:25:12
Trish Garbutt 01:44:39
Karen Price 01:44:39
