Race report by Josie:
This race signals the start of the light evening race season and is a firm favourite on the local fell running calendar. Set over 5 miles in the hills above Rawtenstall and Crawshawbooth, this classic out and back route offers a true test of fell running, with tough climbs, stretches of Rossendale bog and fast, flowing descents.
Tuesday night saw 4 Lostockers ready for that test & tested we were! The underfoot conditions were ‘heavy’ from the start across the saturated rugby pitch! This was immediately followed by a steep, slippy banking and continued throughout the race.
Tom Smith and Tony Marlow pulled away early whilst myself and Mark went for a more gentle start. Once on the tops, the route gently elevates toward Liver Hill over farm and moorland crossing multiple stiles along the way. It was so wet in places, I passed a runner who had lost his shoe in a bog!
As we got closer to the turning point near the summit, The race leaders passed us in the opposite direction on their return followed soon after by Tom and then Tony. A great opportunity to shout some encouragement to them.
Once the summit has been reached, runners retrace their muddy steps back the way they they came across the bogs. I’d pulled away from Shutters early on but had no idea that he had me in his sights and was pulling me in! After a steep, fast run down a road, a final muddy run across the sports field & into the finish where Tom & Tony cheered us in.
Some great results out of 121 runners.
17th Tom Smith 41:31
29th Tony Marlow 43:49 (🥈MV60)
66th Josie Greenhalgh 50:49 (🥇LV50)
69th Mark Shuttleworth 51:35
