The last Runfurther race ever!

 When Panopticons got cancelled back in May we needed a new race for the series. It became Punk Panther Wharfedale Skyline. It was the right distance, didn't clash, was far enough ahead for people to get entries..... true it extended the series season a bit but we could cope.  I had met the RO at a different event and he seemed like a nice guy and others who had done a Punk race the previous year agreed. I should have checked more carefully as to me Wharfedale meant real Dales scenery like above Buckden and Kettlewell- my mistake.

I also had not checked the start time and got a sudden shock when I saw it was 7.30am which would mean a very early get up. Instead I drove to our son's in Leeds on a wild and wet night in the storm. It meant I would have 60-90 mins extra in bed on Saturday plus it was nice to see him albeit rather briefly.

The storm was due to ease away with just lighter rain and less gales on Saturday; which all sounded good. I arrived in Otley in light rain, dropped the display boards off and went to park the car. It was damp and felt chilly but not too bad. 

It was very warm in the church hall and I debated what to wear. I had decided on 3/4s not longs unless it was super cold as I knew it would be very wet and I hate wet tights- my legs are waterproof after all. In the end I packed a second cag just in case I was cold or the rain got worse again. The forecast said it might even stop by midday but what do they know.

There was a short briefing and then we all walked up through Otley to the start. The first couple of Km would not involve much running as we climbed onto The Chevin. The start was briefly delayed as Steve crouched in front of the start line and insisted on retying both shoe laces. He then charged off as usual only to have numerous runners squeeze past him on the single track climb. It was a muddy and slippery climb but plenty of runners around so no nav issues yet. Once on the top it was a pleasant run east past the trig (making 101 for me this year) and then dropping down to Bramhope. Somewhere here first woman passed me although I kept her in sight until the airport. The fields were very wet which was strength sapping and any incline was very slippery. From Bramhope we turned south above a railway line and so past huge air ventilation shafts to the outskirts of Cookridge. 

The state of the paths then took a turn for the worse as we ran around the runway perimeter fence. All the path was under 6" of water, some muddy bits and uncertainty about foot placement. A group of men overtook me, although I later caught them and we ran miles together. Here I got a small stone in my shoes and could feel it biting at the underside of my heel. I was reluctant to stop and kept trying to relocate it in my shoe. I now have a very small hard blood blister there- should have stopped. Entering the edge of Yeadon I was suddenly on my own and my watch did not update my position quickly enough to avoid a small error. I back tracked and turned into a park to run round Yeadon Tarn. 

I never knew it was there until today. Then came the first CP and I caught a small loose group of guys. We negotiated the urban area together and into Spring Wood which was lovely even if rather muddy in places. Heading north across the golf course they pulled away again as did a second female runner.

We had been warned that the paths near the golf course were slippery and it was true! A real relief to get on to Willow Lane and the field paths near Hawksworth Hall. Here I met another woman runner and we briefly went astray. I now thought I was in 4th place but later discovered that she was not on the ultra route. Before long I was at the Menston CP and grabbing a few snacks. These boosted my energy and I ran alone but quite well on nice tracks to the edge of Burley Moor. I thought all the guys I had been with were now well ahead but I spotted one lone male ahead and reeled him in, By the time we reached the Cow and Calf above Ilkley there was a group of about 8 of us trying to decide on the safest descent and then the best way through the bracken. Those that I was with now were to accompany me off and on all the way to the end.

It was easy running down through Ben Rhydding and onto the main A65 Ilkley-Otley road. Lanes led us to the CP in Denton. Normally I am not a fan of tarmac but today it was almost a blessing to be off the mud. This CP was the BEST. 

I had a pile of egg mayo sandwiches and stomped my way up and up the lane and back to the moor. The rain had not stopped and heading directly into the wind I was now getting quite chilly but knew that before long we would turn and also drop. I really didn't want to loose the group I was with- 5 guys and second female. We did a reasonable job of keeping each other on track even in the waterlogged woods with the multiple stream crossings and I am sure it helped me keep my pace up more than if I had been alone.

From the last CP at Norwood there was more climbing than I expected although some nice paths too. Then a whole series of lanes led us back towards Otley. Two guys pulled ahead but I could see the others just up ahead. I couldn't quite catch them but knew they would only beat me back by a minute or so. 

Official race time 6hrs 26. 3rd F, 1st FV50 and 60. 1st V60 F or M. New FV60 record and only 8 mins behind 1st F and 1 min behind 2nd F. Better than I expected! Not quite what I expected for Wharfedale but a good event and great RO team.

A good end to the Grand Slam of Runfurther events and a lovely end to the whole Runfurther thing. The Grand Slam involved 550 miles and takes my total of race ultras this year to 18 and so 175 race ultras since I started in 2009. Wonder when I can reach 200? Already very close if I was to include all my birthday 100 milers etc. I am still not sure whether to be relieved, sad or happy that it is all coming to an end. It has been such a big part of my life since my first Runfurther race in 2009 and even more so since we took over the organisation 10 years ago. I had some post race food and cups of tea before lugging the boards back to the car, it was still drizzling. I am going to have very tired legs for the Urban Orienteering in Salford tomorrow!

2025 OMM

 When the OMM changed all the courses our favourite B became the intro/ beginners as the C was axed.  I wanted A but Rowena as a voice of reason and not liking two hard days back to back vetoed this. We stuck with B but I wasn't really happy and a couple of years with very short hours on the hill meant it was time for a change. We are relative newbies at Score and nervous of the extra challenge of deciding not only how to get to CPs but also which ones to go for! Our compromise was Long Score- this would avoid the possible snakes of runners on the over popular Medium Score and allow me my hours on the hill but with a limit of 7hrs and 6hrs each day.

As MMs have died off we see less of each other for such events as when we did at least 4 a year- SLMM, LAMM, RAB and OMM so we were pleased to have found a good compromise plus this year the OMM would be quite local so we got the bonus of Fri night in a real bed and a short drive to and from the event. This meant we missed out on some socialising and atmosphere on the Friday evening but on balance it was good. The forecast was both good and bad. It was likely to be dry, especially on the Saturday. We both feel the cold and wet windy weather does not suit us. It also meant good views and easier nav. The bad was that the rain might arrive by Sunday lunch time, the wind was due to be quite strong/blustery and it would be COLD.

We made good time to Shap and stopped for a quick toilet break before continuing to the event centre near the Abbey.  It was cold and we both added a base layer and kept our cags on as wind-proofs. We had plenty of time to register, get dibber and tracker and then drop off car keys. This still left time for a toilet break and a gentle walk/jog to the start. The website had said 5 mins but at registration we found it was nearer to 20mins.  We made it with time to spare but being cold decided to try to get an early start. Yes, they were allowing people to go when ready. In retrospect we now wish we had lingered and sussed out the area but in fairness I have never before been to an event where we were handed maps and told "the start kite is somewhere up that flagged moorland but I am sorry I don't know know how far!" Most unusual and it meant of course we did not know where we were. Apparently the planner had been telling some confused people but he didn't tell us. We decided our best option was to follow the flags and find the kite. Actually the best route to our chosen first control was to step back 5m and follow the tiny water works road. Instead we flogged up the moor, found the start kite, treked round an OoB wall and then a nasty bracken filled descent to reach said road. Heaven knows how much time we had lost.

We tried to put this behind us and concentrated on the wonderful views and collecting the 6 controls along the ridge above Haweswater and extending SW towards Branstree. It went well and we were pleased with our nav. We were making reasonable time and dropped to our 7th control on to the north of Gatesgarth Pass in a small sheepfold. Then it was decision time- where to go next? 

There was a nice cluster around Blea Tarn. Kidsty Pike was tempting at 80 points but would require some really fast running. We messed up the order of the 3 at the tarn as I was anxious about climbing the headwall but all was easy and we collected the three before heading off to Nam Bield Pass. It's so much easier when you know the area and can visualise where you are heading. It felt like and enormous descent even though the map showed it as only half way to Kentmere res. We then climbed to our next CP in a re-entrant before making our only real error of the day. We were starting to come across more teams from a variety of courses. Rowena was flagging and I was pushing hard. Climbing up towards the fence line I found another re-entrant and dibbed. I did not on this occasion check the code- my mistake!  The one we needed was another couple of hundred metres on but at the same height.

Instead of checking the code we plotted what to do with the time we had in hand. It was too early to head for mid camp and there were two  controls on stream junctions in the next valley over. It was a bit tussocky but we had time. Ironically on our return to the fence line we then passed close to our 'missing' re-entrant before dropping to a kite below a huge crag. If only we had realised.

Not my photo but what a view

The last section of the day with 3 more controls was easy running. I felt strong and took Rowena's sack in addition to mine in the hope we could RUN. Heading down into Longsleddale we had over 15 mins at it was clear we would be back in time. In fact we were 10 mins inside the 7 hour limit.  At download our splits did indeed show the wrong re-entrant but now was not the time to stress.

At 4pm we found a spot for the tent wedge between others but not too far from the toilets and water. It was flat and would do. Despite the tent being twisted and inside out; cheers Rowena, we were soon sat inside and adding layers for warmth and stripping off wet dirty socks. Once water was collected it was the usual brew and treat of millionaires shortcake. The evening passed in a mix of food, drink, lie downs, toilet trips etc. 

We did wander out to check results and found there was unusually a chasing start for females on our course so we were off at 7.10 not 8.30am. Not all teams discovered this. We were sure we would be awake by then anyway and maybe the earlier start would allow us to beat the forecast rain. It was cold and the stars were amazing. I dislike the cold and so did not wander the field and socialise as much as I would have liked.

We slept as well as we ever do on an OMM and better than in some years when we feared the wind and rain might collapse the tent. As predicted we were awake and starting to move before the piper started playing. 

Porridge and a brew set us up for the day. Fearing the worst of the forecast and it being a chilly morning I kept my long tights on and an extra long sleeve base layer. I was a bit warm at times but nothing too dreadful.

It would have been nice to visit the other side of the valley but a quick glance at the map showed the best points and less boggy ground was to reverse yesterdays route at least in part. 

Heading up to the first control felt hard work but my legs and cold toes soon got used to what was expected of them. The ground had a touch of frost as we picked off the first 3 controls in the Shipman Knotts area. The CPs were coming fairly fast which kept the motivation going. 

We with others had some confusion about where we could legally cross near Wren Gill quarries  but were soon sorted and on our way. Then a lovely grassy track allowed some great running. Rowena's knee was causing pain so I took her sack.  We knew we had a fence to cross on Selside Brow but then saw the big gate lower down in the valley. It wasn't where our crossing point was marked? It seems the map only showed  an extra one higher up the hillside? Annoying as we had climbed, dropped and then had to climb again whilst also losing our compass bearing. Hey ho. The next leg caused even more confusion as we could see a broken but significant wall and it wasn't on our map. No idea why so we flogged on, relocated on a nice crag and spotted where we needed to head.

The climb to the next col went faster than expected and we started to work our way back NE above Haweswater. We had opted to avoid the bogs of Swindale. three more controls collected. There was even some real running as we were with Mary and her partner. I now had both sacks and kept them until the finish line. We dropped too low going to the next but luckily were able to use a distant wall and woodland across the valley to quickly relocate. It might have been a different story in claggy weather but perhaps we would have been more careful then. The steepest run of the weekend dropped us down a bracken covered hillside to the tarmac road. Above Truss Gap it was clear we had time in hand and we opted to collect 2 more controls on the moor above Tailbert before heading back past the day1 start and one more control by the Abbey. There was mud but the rain had not arrived. We ran in case the steep pull up from the abbey took its toll but ended up with almost 20 mins to spare.

A great weekend and our partnership survived in tact despite some differences of opinion and different strengths out on the course. Long Score worked out well as our compromise course and we would consider it again. Lessons were learned.... We might not have had a podium this year but it seemed more satisfying than our recent years on B which had fewer hours on the hills. 

We were 4thF, 4thV and 1stFV. Our timing was good with just 10 mins and 20 mins to spare and not really any extra controls that we could have collected (except perhaps on day 1 without the time lost at the start kite and then at Blea Tarn). 

We were blessed with the weather and caught up with many friends. Bonus was a fairly short drive home.