Punk Panther – High Life 50k Ultra - 3 July
Report by Ady Warner
06:00 and the alarm goes off. Mrs W says “well get up then you nutter, you’ve got a race to go to”. Like many who set that alarm with all good intentions of springing out of bed with excitement on race day, I was no different. Except with these current times and staggered starts on many races altering the atmosphere on the start line. But today was going to be different. A MASS START!!! Yes, that’s right the first mass start since early last year and hope of a normal race day future?
Registration was straight forward, here’s your number, have you got your kit and wear this tracker, see you 5 minutes before your allocated start time. Great, time for the last minute bite to eat and the final nervous toilet stop before pulling on the mandatory kit.
The start was in an unglamorous parking area where we immediately turn left over a footbridge and straight up the many steps to the top of the Otley Chevin. A steep and narrow start meant that overtaking was difficult but offered the odd chance to skip ahead of those easing themselves into it. Once on the top, the route offered a mixture of paths and tracks leading to Baildon Moor. The weather as we headed for the trig point (282m) closed in and presented us with our first but not last navigational challenge; not the getting up to it but more choosing the right path to descend the other side. Once down and on our way it wasn’t far before we made it to checkpoint 1 at Weecher Resevoir. I didn’t stay any longer than to refill my water and I was off again, trying to make distance from the small group that had formed around me. Maybe they thought I knew where I was going!
From checkpoint 1 to 2 we followed the Dales High Way, an open moorland path across Ilkley Moor. Winding its way past the 12 Apostles and across to the next trig point (402m). From here we descended once again. Feeling good I managed to run the whole way gaining distance on the others hoping that I wouldn’t pay for it later. I didn’t stop at checkpoint 2 but said cheers to the support staff who take the time to read your number, recall your name from the list and then give you a personal “Well done Ady”.
Passing straight through, on the way I knew, it wasn’t that far to checkpoint 3 in Addingham. The path gently rises up to the Swastika Stone and across the side of Ilkley before a rapid descent. Just before reaching Addingham the route passed through a field full of cows. Instantly I thought of Lena Conlin and not wanting to end up with the same fate. Gingerly ushering my way right through the middle of them turned out to be uneventful and was pleased I wasn’t used as a football cow equivalent of the Euros.
Approaching the checkpoint with the staff shouting my name out loud I took on some more water and a snack bar ready for the long ascent to Beamsley Beacon trig point (393m). From here the route crosses a suspension bridge and follows a path that makes you feel like you’re hacking your way through the Amazonian Rain Forest. Making attempts to avoid the stingers and brambles to prevent any irritations and discomfort while trying to run was futile. Now comes the rise to Beamsley Beacon, not as bad as I was expecting. I steadily gained on the runner, by this time walker, in front of me reaching the top in foul weather. The wind and rain had picked up but it still felt quite mild. Others near me opted to stop and put on a rain jackets, I felt OK and knew If I kept moving I’d keep warm. This tactic is always a good motivator for me. Knowing that the halfway point was behind me with open tracks leading across to Round Hill and down to Timble, checkpoint 4, I steadily ticked off a couple more competitors only to be caught up by another as I reached Timble.
Shortly after leaving Timble I began to suffer with stomach cramps and a little bit of nausea. This really took its toll on me and I struggled with it until the end. Pushing on and knowing that all the elevation was behind me I eventually reached the last checkpoint at Lindley Wood following the river Washburn. Crossing over at the bridge and through the pine forest was very pleasant. The wide smooth track was a delight under aching feet and as it wound its way alongside the water you could almost forget about the previous 30 miles. Sadly this was to come to an end and then the route took its only mile along a main road. Fast traffic and blind bends only spurred me on the get off it and join the River Wharfe back to Otley. Flat and quiet again I was ever conscious that I hadn’t seen another runner since Timble. Convinced that someone could be behind me around that corner I’d just passed helped me to keep moving as quickly as I could despite the stomach cramps.
The finish is in sight, well once I’ve navigated the streets of Otley. Viewing the Chevin knowing that was above where I’d started several hours before made me feel a small sense of pride that I hadn’t been overtaken on the final stretch. Turning the last corner, aiming for the finish line and being reminded to stop my watch after I got there filled me with relief. I collected my medal and T-shirt and hobbled my way back to my van. Now comes the real sense of relief. Those stomach cramps turned out to be trapped wind! A few noisy minutes stood outside my van was pure bliss. Maybe not for anyone with 10 metres of me, but for me heaven.
Knowing Colm was somewhere behind me I got myself a cup of tea and waited for him to cross the line. Watching the tracker on my phone knowing he wouldn’t be long I waited on the finish line ready to cheer him in. I asked the organiser Ryk to take a photo of us but he got the wrong end of my request and stood with Colm until I said, no, you take a picture of us. Embarrassingly he got my meaning and obliged.
Still waiting for the official results but as it stands:
Ady Warner 7:01hrs 7th place 4th in age category.
Colm O’Cofaigh 8:21hrs 17th place 7th in age catagory