What's this!? A golden ball of fire appearing occasionally in the sky casting a warm glow over parts of the Cheviots! Relatively little wind! Relatively little mud! No snow! And a record turn-out of folk to enjoy the conditions over Brough Law and environs on this fairly early in the season race.
This is a great course. As Chris Sanderson said to me afterward, "Just the right distance." At about 5miles it's not a gut-buster in terms of length for sure, but there's not much flat terrain en-route so it's testing all the way. It's the initial 50m scramble followed by the haul up toward Brough Law which presents a dilemma though. Go off too hard and a blow-up is more than likely. Go too easy and you can quickly be off the pace and looking at a big gap ahead to make up if you're in a racing mood.
I settled myself for a steady tap up this first climb. There were a few flyers, a bit of cut-and-thrust. Someone dared to get a nose in front of Phil Sanderson (Who'd already recce'd the course, and then some. Lost Phil?) but he'd hauled the lead spot back by the top and was soon away in the clear. Onto the top it was Lee Bennett of NFR, Tim Edward of Clayton-le-Moor and myself in Phil's wake, and we stayed in fairly close contention for most of the rest of the way. The climb up to Wether Hill is the next tough slog on the course. Last year, my first blast at this course, I didn't know what was coming here (sometimes an advantage!) and it was where I secured my eventual placing, making ground on followers. That wasn't happening this year though. I'd stolen into 2nd by vaulting a fence rather than unlatching a gate at the foot of the hill, but I didn't have any pep for the climb. Lee and Tim were right at my shoulder and then past me at the crest. Lee took it on a bit and slowly made a break away. He looked to be running relaxed and easy. Tim seemed strong. I felt like I was just trying to keep in touch. At Little Cleugh though they both took a direct line up a steep slope from the bottom to a fence corner whereas I dog-legged it on the path and made up nearly all lost ground. From there though it was Lee who wanted the 2nd place most and he stretched it out on the way back across to Brough Law. Phil was a speck in the distance making the turn for the final descent. Tim got distance between he and I and secured third. I'd last had a glance backward at Cochrane Pike where the followers still seemed to be in touch but there wasn't any threat from behind by the time Brough Law came up again so I dropped into neutral and enjoyed the swoosh and scurry back down to the finish.
A good turn-out from WRC. Well done to all. I think I've got photos of everyone here except Jack who eluded the camera at the finish. A particularly brave run from Joe who hurt his calf not far out but still completed the course.
Thanks to NFR (who swept the board with Mens/Ladies individual and team wins) and organisers for a great race. Results etc at http://www.northumberlandfellrunners.co.uk/index.htm
