Sedbergh
In order of minisculity, Andy, Phil, George, Ian, Karl and Dave turned out for this. Spot the man not trying in the photographs
Round Hill Fell Race
After spending most of winter gallivanting round on an Iron horse and doing a long swim, bike, run thing it was about time to get muddy again.
Consulting the shiny 2008 race calendar and thinking ‘no chance’ to Pendle Cloughs….(lets face it letting me loose with nothing but a map, I’d frankly still be there!) Round Hill came in as favourite.
A 9 mile race with 1300ft (false advertising claimed it only to be 1100ft!) round a hill, how hard can that be?
I have no idea who ordered summer to start at approximately 10.55 on the 28th July but started it did. Registration is in the library of the picturesque village of Timble, the race start being some quarter of a mile away and no where near a pub! Thoughts of deciding against Pendle were clearly coming back to torment me.
The race itself is actually very pleasant! Nothing too horrible and no real surprises. The course starts off on a track and with only 91 polite fell runners running there was never an issue nor any of that road running argy bargee as the track narrowed to a gate.
The route is soon onto open moorland where given the weather in that the persistent rain of previous weeks have been the norm it could have been very muddy indeed. However the million degree heat that was blazing down had clearly evaporated the stagnant bog water in record time as it was rather pleasantly dry-ish….well only just above ankle deep so that’s positively sahara like right?
It was uphill for the first 4 miles albeit gradual and the kind of course I usually really like but this English rose was truly wilting in the sun. Everybody suffered and there wasn’t one person I don’t think who actually welcomed the furnace like conditions, the route was well marshalled and marked and a lovely lovely man was half way on the course handing out cups of water. At first the worry was he was just a mirage in the boggy wilderness but no he was larger than life and the pink pony vest was enough currency to warrant a full cup as opposed to half! In reality it was probably more to do with me being right at the back and he didn’t want to carry all the water back down again!
Rehydrated it was another 4.5 miles to go!
It did seem to go on for ever but again just due to the heat the course itself is a relatively fast one and one that is all runable. The finish is along a wide path of about a mile where you would normally be able to pick up the pace however I think someone has ‘borrowed’ my racing legs and failed to return them…..can I have them back now please?
All in all though a great little race, well run, organised and marshalled and the spot prize bottle of ale went down a treat!
(Words of Pony Emma)
Rydal Round Fell Race
After winning the Cumberland Wrestling, or was it the lying competition? Dave and Manhar flew the flag for the Ponies at this traditional Lakeland Show for which 100 traditional runners lined up and 99 started after one numpty was told to bugger off after trying to start with no gear at all. It was hot and humid in the valley but there was a welcome breeze on the tops. Conditions underfoot were perfect for a fast time, which Manhar managed knocking 15 minutes off his Fairfield Horseshoe time. So what was my excuse for struggling, answers on a postcard to …. Heck, I mean, If it hadn’t been for my usual lightening fast last 200m sprint I’d have been beaten by the fat man in an orange T shirt, cargo shorts and walkers rucsac.
Shining Tor Fell Race
A couple of Ponies did the Shining Tor race last week and fed the flies of the Goyt Valley handsomely.
Simon and Dan were there, for the second time and knocked a bit of time off last year’s efforts.
The weather was so hot and humid it made your legs dissolve, and the reservoirs were seductive enough to tempt a few runners to cool off…
As expected, the views on top were awesome and the setting sun on the way home was pretty… well, pretty.
The three races in this series are highly recommended with great running through gorgeous countryside and the proceeds going in support of the local mountain rescue team.
James Herriot Trail Race
3 northern ponies, Dave, Chris and Karl took part in this 14k trail race which despite the promise of the title, did not involve the donning of wellies and sticking your arm up a cow’s backside. The race starts from Castle Bolton one of Yorkshire’s well preserved medieval castles. Work began on the castle in 1378 at the behest of the Scrope family and it looks as if they still haven’t finished it.
Tristram Farnon had an atrocious race and nearly jacked it in. Seigried however had a good run despite the extreme heat whilst James had another storming run and finished 20th out of 300.
The fine weather brought Ponies out all over the country with, I think, people out at Snowdon - Daz and Manhar, (Daz was surely disappointed not to come last), Round Hill - Emmilou and Amex whilst Phil and Ian were at Pendle
Northumberland Coastal Run
Three Ponies enjoyed the stunning coastal scenery of my native county in this 14 mile mixed terrain (road, footpath beach and sea race. Karl had a shocking race coming in 60th out of 800 in 1hr 32 min proving there’s some life left in the old sod yet. Phil also did disappointingly well to finish in 1hr 47min in 250th place, with Dave the last Pony in a slightly more respectable 1hr 53, 383rd
Tal Y Fan Report - What it’s all about
Watching girl runner’s bums as Amex has said, er no, sorry, read this.
Originally Posted by DazTheSlug 
“Well, in light of regular race wins by various Ponies (including FellMonster and now Amex), I thought we should avoid appearing too elitist and determined to have a jolly good go at finishing last at Tal Y Fan last Saturday:
things were looking good at the start line, as only about 55-60 starters, mostly wearing Welsh club vests lined up
I made the mistake of going quite hard at the “stupidly steep” road start, but the few people behind me soon started overtaking, and by the summit I felt sure I must be near the back
I threw in a slight diversion on the first descent, which allowed another 4 runners to outflank me, and settled in for the run back feeling confident
just for good measure, I threw in another, more major diversion, losing about 10-12 mins, but BLAST! what was this? as I rejoined the route there were 2 lasses running together just behind me <doh!>
I thought there was a good chance they were actually sweeping the course, but there was a nagging thought that they might have their names put into the results anyway…
the final descent started with a lovely runnable section through bracken, which I enjoyed, and pulled away from the ladies 
the final section was on very steep road, and I started to suffer, and heard tell-tale footfalls getting closer behind me…
the 2 charming young ladies cruised past me about 20 yards from the finish, and my mission was complete:
56th out of 56″
Yeh, OK so it was about watching girlie’s bums.
Pink Pony wins race!
The Rossendale way in a day 22 miles 3000 foot, an event to raise funds for the Rossendale Mountain Rescue team, this event is advertised in Strider and Trail an event mainly for walkers but runners are welcome.
Or in real terms Steve’s big day out!
It was a cold wet dismal day at the start, I looked around and could only see about 15 runners oh well 15th will be something to have a pint about later!
Off we trot, down hill to begin with, nothing out of the ordinary just a day out, oh how wrong I was to be proved, we settled in and I was near the front err err what the Fu*& do I do now, 6 I could count in front never mind the others will catch just plod Steve and all will be well, so I did after the first check point, 4 were now in front, the ground started to climb nothing to daft just a steady up, I just kept plodding and omg they were getting closer, oh well they must be saving them selves for the later part of the race, just keep plodding Steve, I then caught up to a couple from Derbyshire had a quick chat and found my self holding back!! Err what do I do now do I press on or tuck in? just then the heavens opened and it threw it down and I mean threw it down, we all stopped and put on wet cover but I thought just my top will do, if george can stand the cold I can!
While the couple from Derbyshire were putting on pants now was my chance, and I went for the next half hour or so I did not even look round, head down and work Steve work. I kept saying to myself
Through the clag I could see the next check point down I drop and clock in I asked how many in front 2 came the reply (I knew that) how far “ there you can see them” thanks am off now.
I had them in my sights just keep plodding Steve, after 3 or 4 miles I was within 200 m of them, on to the disused railway I was with them my heart was pounding what the hell do I do now, this section is just over 1.5m long and I knew the next 4 miles were a climb out of the valley, I just said I am off guys, and I stepped up a gear and went again did not look back just went head down, just as I left the railway I glanced back, no where in sight! It’s up to you now Steve the next check point came and I was in front could not see anybody behind 6 miles to go!!
After 5 mins I glanced back somebody was catching me oh FU&£ it was good while it lasted, he caught me how down I felt, he said how long you been out I told him he then said well done, I have just started, what your not on this event “NO” came the reply OMG we chatted some more and he was a member of Rossendale we chatted about Dennis and he said come on I will pace you, he did and the next and last check point came he said goodbye and will never know how much he meant to me, he helped me I was tired alone wet and needed the company!
The last climb I stuffed in a boost bar and my legs returned, I hit the top and looked back down the valley, nobody, my first thought was fu&% if I am going to win this I am doing it in pink! Off came the coat, I looked down and apart from my belly I could see blood from my nipples I had been so focused I did not know!
The end came I was first back in 3 hours 59 mins don’t worry Mr Jebb Mr Taggert Ricky, your crowns will never be removed by me.
It has taken 44 years for me to win a race, and trust me It was a race not FRA Uk AAA or what ever other bollocks and rules you want me to quote, the people I passed were all trying to be first back to win, they just came across a pink pony who’s time it was!
Prize was a bottle of wine now gone!
Bob Graham’s Round
No it’s not a typo, because I’m not talking about Gerry and George’s recent triumph, I’m talking about my work colleague Bob Graham who has been piling on the weight recently. He’s not a runner and he wouldn’t really consider himself a Walker and quite rightly too as his family has no links whatsoever with that of my rock climbing partner, Will Walker. No, his main claim to fame, apart from having an unpparall, unparra, incredible knowledge of the intricacies of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, (all four of them*), is his unforgettable utterance, “Catbells, don’t talk to me about Catbells, it’s a bloody death trap”. Which he made after the failure of his one and only attempt to conquer that fearsome Lakeland peak.
*Don’t sneer, can you tell me how to calculate the compensation due on flexible early severance to a member with reserved rights, overseas service, pre 1969 Post Office service and an on call allowance? Thought not.