Race report by Josie:
On Sunday, Tony & I headed over to Marsden for our first race of the year. Trigger is a point to point race where runners navigate their way from Marsden over Black Hill, Bleaklow and Kinder to Edale visiting three trigs points on route. The linear route we covered was 24.75 miles with 6,200 feet elevation. Last years race was cancelled by the new organiser due to bad weather, so this year was an 11th hour decision to go ahead on the premise that the notorious Snake Pass Road was open and accessible for Woodhead MRT.
Arriving at registration to a car park covered in ice and pouring rain wasn’t the most inviting start to a race, but with all pre-race essentials done, everyone was wrapped up and 183 hardy fellrunners were sent on their way.
Tony & I ran together for the duration of the race enduring everything that you would expect in the High Peak during Winter months. We were initially soaked in heavy rain which in a strong headwind made for freezing face, fingers and legs. Trudging through very deep snow across the moors made the going slow, so we took an opportunity beside a warm checkpoint generator to add extra layers for the final section.
We needed every bit of essential kit over Kinder Scout as 70mph gusts made it difficult to stay upright. Our faces were numb and hoods blown off! Thankfully, the wind was less severe once we headed away from Kinder edge to make our final descent.
Crossing the finish line was such a relief and times weren’t important. We felt like we’d been on a journey of survival more than a fell race! Of the 183 starters, only 103 finished, the rest either retired or were timed out.
RESULTS: Josie Greenhalgh 6:33;03 5th Lady/1st LV50
Tony Marlow 6:33:04 2nd V60 and his 1st prize in the new age category 😎
