It was some of the super photos from 2008 that tempted me along for a pop at this one this year. Although it was obvious that the same magical snowbound conditions weren't going to form the backdrop, I was still keen enough to set aside the 3rd leg of the Borders XC series in favour of extra distance and more testing terrain. Had some idea what to expect after Hillforts & Headaches on New Years Day- but all of the 'outback' section of the course behind the ridge was virgin territory for me. I hadn't gone out with Nick and Don for their recce which, by their own admission, had been (at least in parts) something of a headscratching session. They had managed to ascertain though that it was (surprise, surprise!) "A bit muddy!"
A record field dispersed from Rothbury at 11 bells and got stuck in. Initial leading pace didn't seem too crazy and I was content to sit at the back of the first dozen or so and concentrate on my own headgame of quashing initial enthusiasm/nervous energy, to avoid blowing up later. All the climbing in the first 3m seemed to flit past and I hoped that the steady progress I was making wasn't going to be echoed later with an equally steady descent back through the ranks. I was focussed on running economically and looking at who and what was ahead. At about 4m I was vying for 3rd place, and then 2nd, no-one more surprised than I. A bit further on and I was in what felt like a comfortable 2nd place with only the leader and another 6m or so ahead.
Whatever tussles we were having with fellow competitors, we were all in the same boat as far as what was underfoot went. And in some parts it might have been useful to actually be in a boat. The middle third of the route was ready to engulf the unwary. The footpath was dotted with little duckboard bridges here and there which spanned the swampier parts of the morass. As numerous 'tales at the finishing tape' told afterward though, you were probably safer to pitch straight on through the worst of it than take the footbridge options for thereon lay a very good chance of sliding headlong rather than feet first into the drink! I had one 'near miss' and one forward sprawl. As well as this there was a tricky section of cleared forest with some nice ridge and furrow undulation round about Selby's Cove, heather covered sheeptrack- scratchy scratchy, a punishing rocky scramble up to Simonside itself, some pleasant grassy track (!) and leg sapping hard flagstones and actual tarmac too. The whole package. Of course, special mention should be made of the "Grotto Trot" a festive detour of a couple of hundred yards into the darkness of the wood wherein there were fairy lights and music playing, courtesy of the race organisers and a generator. Brilliant stuff!
With the Grotto and Simonside approaching I was still feeling chipper and increasingly surprised. Could it be that race leader James Buis, 200yards or so ahead, was slowing up? Phil Sanderson, (I'd wondered where he was! And failed to recognise him in passing too! Sorry Phil.) who was marshalling at Selby's Cove, hinted so. "You're going faster than him," he said as I made the stile. I started to think I could catch up and then, on breaking clear of the woods of the Grotto section, found that I had. James still had the edge. He'd either held a bit back over the previous mile or so, or was just keener, because he put 20yards on straight away up the Simonside scramble. I held on though. He drew away to about 100yards up but seemed to be taking it quite steady on the descents on the ridge and by Lordenshaws I'd almost got back with him. Round the Hillfort was where he racked the pace up though and put me well and truly in his wake over the last 2m which he covered a full 2mins quicker in decisive fashion. I'd had a good dig but felt the pinch over the harder ground on the run in. One of my calves was tightening up so I had to be content with second and a steady run in for home. Far from disappointed though, what may well be my last race this year had turned out to be one of the most enjoyable.
Eventually everyone was gathered in and a prize list as long as the race itself dished out along with soup and rolls in the Newcastle Hotel. I took home a Christmas pudding for my efforts. It might just cover the calories burned up whilst swamp-trotting! Full results, photos, other reports and blogs links via NFR website. A shout out to WRC teammates Nick, Don, Kenny, Glen & Jack and my thanks to the organisers and all involved in hosting this great race.
