Race Report by Checkers;
Always wanted to run up this hill. You can see it from Pendle Hill it’s the one with the mast on it and the road that goes over the top from Clitheroe. The main problem with the Bowland hills is that there is a lot of restricted access. So it’s quite difficult to plan a good route. Without using the road. Thankfully Bowland fell runners negotiated with local farmers and villagers and created a very good route through the cow pastures. Thankfully not too churned up😃. This race was unusual as it was Sunday afternoon start. This meant for me a short sleep time of 3hours after a long night shift. I arrived at the village nice and early. It looked like a ghost town. Then I saw Darren Fishwick and a Bowland flag,so I knew I was in the right place. This race had a cut off after 2.5 miles. I was a little concerned about this?🤔 As my body wasn’t fully awake. Even noticeable by people as I was entering 🥱 I tanked up with coffee.
I reckoned that I should be able to get there in half an hour as the cut off time was 45 mins. Anyway I did it in 31mins all them park runs paid off😃 even caught two other runners. No fell race is ever straight forward 🤔?? They put in a downhill not far from the top urrgh🙁 I was hopeless I ran like Bambi going down legs akimbo all over the place. Even had blurred vision. Losing the places I had just gained very quickly. Thankfully I had good energy and enjoyed the climb back up. Once at the trig enjoyed the banter with marshalls pointing out Blackpool Tower. Now for the run down😄? I was quiet pleased to see a few runners still coming up behind me. I egged them on saying you should be able to catch me. In fact my downhill running was ok and improving. Once on the less steep slopes I was flying. On the lower slopes through the cow fields I was looking for the best lines away from the mud, which worked with the help of local farmers marshaling. However I think someone stretched the downhill out it seemed to go on forever. Back at the village hall a welcome cup of tea and great cake sat in the sunshine at the prize giving. Rounded off a good Sunday afternoons Race.😄
