The Pennine Way Bridge over the M62

Race Report Paul Tranter

Although the forecast rain and sleet never arrived, this race had plenty of weather and proper fell running features to recommend it. It was cold, especially into the north easterly wind. Cold enough for black ice on some of the rocks on Blackstone Edge and the old, cobbled packhorse road up to the ridge. There was mud. Thick slippy clayey mud, thick slippy peaty mud. There was lots of water. Half submerged flagstones on the tops, tyre tracks full of black peaty water where 4×4’s have been churning up the countryside. The water was very cold. Visibility? Well, there really wasn’t much. In fact, we were so stuck up in the cloud that you couldn’t even see the 50ft radio mast on top of Windy Hill when stood beneath it. So, all in all, the perfect ingredients for a proper fell race.
The run is organised by CraggRunner with race HQ and the start and finish line at The Ram’s Head Inn near Denshaw, just off junction 22 of the M62. It was lovely and warm in the Inn to collect race numbers, study the maps, enjoy free tea and coffee or use the loos. Parking was on the main Huddersfield Road, but there were plenty of places to pull in on the verges.

The race is advertised as 11.8 miles with 2,100ft of ascent. Its FRA registered and is a BM fell race. Full FRA kit was required on the day.

Did I enjoy it? Sort of. It’s one of those races and one of those days that just getting round feels like a big achievement. Remarkably, the winner of the men’s race, Nathan Lawson of Dark Peak Fell Runners, set a new men’s course record in 1:16:25. That’s about 6:28 minute miling. Amazing.
Still, you only had to finish to enjoy the hot chocolate and endless sweets at the finish line (the hot chocolate was very welcome) and there was also free soup for all runners back in The Ram’s Head Inn.

The Results:
First male and first overall, Nathan Lawson, Dark Peak Fell Runners in 1:16:25
First female and 25th overall was Jennifer Badger of Prestwich AC in 1:48:24
For Otley:
Paul Tranter finished in 144th place in a time of 2:26:50
Antonio Cardinale finished in 197th place in 4:03:48
Full results here: https://my.raceresult.com/326465/results#1_94D641