Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve, Elland Road, Brighouse, 15^th August 2024

Race report Sean Hornby

This was my third and final ‘It’s Grim Up North’ summer turn up and pay on the evening race and this event took place in the lovely area of Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve near Brighouse. As per usual, it was another canal path run and probably the flattest one so far. My friend Mark, from Radcliffe AC also took part (we’d not seen each other for over five years, and this ended up being the second time in two weeks due to both taking part in these events).

As per previous events it was very well organised and great value for money (£15 = 10k entry, booze, soft drinks, food, fruit, chocolate, medal). I set off at a good pace and remained in third place for a couple of kilometres before edging into second place where I thought I’d try and remain up to 7k in and then try and take the lead.

The lead runner was local, from Brighouse Bees Running Club so I presumed they had good knowledge of the route, but it was about 4k in when I thought I’d be brave and just go for the overtake. At the turnaround point I knew that I’d put a bit of distance between the two of us and at the 8k point I started to implement fartlek into my pace to stretch it out further which proved to be a successful tactic as when I crossed the finish line, I was over a minute faster than the guy in second place.

Good running conditions, cooler than the previous two events I’d taken part in and was obviously very pleased to have improved with each event (3^rd place 2^nd place and 1^st place) and finishing under 40 mins was the icing on the cake for me!

https://www.itsgrimupnorthrunning.co.uk/results/registration-category/34796/11709#anchor