Mark Shuttleworth and Mark Checkley travelled to Todmorden to complain the Shepherds Skyline fell race on Saturday 4 November. This is a 10k race with an epic elevation gain of 1,300ft.
Shuttleworth is a veteran of the race having completed the race approximately 10 times previously.
The race starts on an uphill on a very congested narrow track with runners being required to run in singles file in some sections. The track is deeply rutted and uneven, even for a fell race, however once that 1st uphill mile is out of the way at the top of the climb the track opens up and runners can run at ur own pace and even overtake other runners!
It undulates slightly all the way to Stoodley Pike where we turn left and launch downhill which is the highlight of the race, with good footwear on competitors can pick up the pace. At the bottom of the descent the course turns left along a path where runners recover ready for the next climb back up to the top and pick up the outward narrow rutted path down to the finish.
This last descent is very tricky with numerous hazards including rocks or the slippy, muddy, boggy path. This is Shuttleworth’s favourite descents as an experienced fell runner, he can quickly pass less confident runners as they tip-toe very carefully downwards.
Both Lostockers had an amazing race finishing covered in mud and soaked due to the November weather.
Shuttleworth finished in an epic 1.12.34 followed by Checkley in 1:33:18.
