Race report by Fell Captain Josie Greenhalgh:
On Saturday, I arrived at Rosthwaite for the 50th running of the fell race, ‘Borrowdale’. This is a classic AL race with a distance of 17miles and 6500ft elevation which summits Englands highest mountain, Scafell Pike and the mighty Great Gable another giant of the Lake District.
I lined up with 225 runners, unsure what to expect of myself given my ongoing knee niggles – so started conservatively at the back of the field.
After the initial run out of the village to meet the fells, the race climbs steeply up to Bessyboot, a quad sapping climb to the first CP where I found myself 12 places from the back!
From here, I found my running legs and settled into a steady pace contouring the undulating & somewhat boggy terrain of Glaramara and Allen Crags to Esk Hause CP2.
The next section to Scafell Pike is rocky with giant boulders and my confidence grew whilst hopping, speedily across the dry rocks and passing other runners. Likewise on the scree descent off Scafell Pike, my favourite part of the race.
The following climb up Great Gable is a long haul climb up the rocky steps for about 30mins to Checkpoint marshals sitting in cloud.
Following the descent of the Gables, I got a real sense of running for home but as I descended to the Honister CP, I kept myself in check, ready for the sting in the tail, the long climb up Dale Head.
I was feeling pretty strong and got into a good rhythm, knowing this is the last climb before the long, technical descent to the finish.
I was conscious of my knee pain on the descent to Dale Head Tarn but in my desperation to finish, passed many runners and had a great line avoiding the rocks.
The final descent initially runs down an old slate quarry & every footstep is the sound of breaking glass. It then follows a steep run down the grassy hillside through bracken before a long, painful cobbled track led me to the finish field.
I was relieved but overjoyed to finish! As painful and hard as it was, I thoroughly enjoyed the route, terrain and banter with other runners I ran alongside.
Given I‘d started at the back in a field of 225, I progressed through the race getting stronger as I went finishing 145th overall and picked up a prize for 2nd Vet 50! The bonus is, my knee is no worse than when I started!
