The Wuthering Hike is a 31.5 mile race across the South Pennine moors and down (and up!) the sides of the Calder Valley. Starting in Howarth (Bronte country: very picturesque it is too), the extremities of the race are Hurstwood Reservoir in the south west (close to Burnley) and Stoodley Pike in the south. The term “hike” is something of a misnomer as the Wuthering Hike is a true ultra race and the underfoot conditions usually mean that fast times are achieved.
The 2009 Wuthering Hike was held on a windy Saturday the 14th of March. The forecast was for strong winds and cloudy skies, but it looked like the rain would hold off. This forecast seemed to be pretty much spot on.
The race started along the cobbled high street of Howarth at 8am. The high street and side streets were packed as the organiser, Brett, started the race. The throngs at the start meant that it took some time for the eventual leaders to establish themselves at the front of the race.
The first 10 miles of the race were dominated by the wind. It was difficult for anyone running in a pack to break free from that pack since the wind would slow a lone runner down very quickly (there was hence a lot of advantage to be gained by slipstreaming other runners, or your team mate if running in a team, over the early part of the course). The wind was particularly strong in the Widdop Reservoir area where several competitors were drenched by waves breaking over the dam wall!
A leading pack containing Jez Bragg, Mark Palmer and Jonathon Wright had had established itself by Top Withens and these three ran at the head of the field for most of the race. Andrew Nicoll and the leading team Martin Beale and Martin Indge formed a little pack behind the frontrunners.
The course turned at Hurstwood Reservoir and the change in direction made things a little easier as the wind became a sidewind and eventually a tailwind. The course changes character somewhat in this region as the open moors give way to farms, valleys and good tracks. The section from Hurstwood to Todmorden can be fast running, but you have to navigate well as the route follows a reasonably intricate selection of footpaths: easy for those who’ve recce’d the route and locals, but much harder for the map wielding first timer.
One of the harder aspects of the Wuthering Hike is that the hills kick in in the second half of the race. The first big hill is Stoodley Pike. A steady approach is needed here, but this is rewarded with a fantastic sweeping run down to Hebden Bridge. The second big hill is a road up to Heptonstall. This hill is runnable although many will be reduced to a walk given that this hill is 23 miles in. The third hill is at a gentle angle, but is a monster: Top o Stairs is reached via a gently inclined 3.5 mile graunch up from New Bridge. The only thing that eased this hill on the day was the tailwind.
From Top o Stairs, the finish is in sight, just over Penistone Hill. A quick run down and then a stiff little climb up leads to Penistone Hill. The leaders Mark Palmer and Jez Bragg were having a real tussle in this section, ratcheting up the pace towards the finish: Jez outsprinted Mark at the line to finish in 4h13m07s (3 seconds ahead of Mark). Andew Nicoll chose a better line round the north west side of Penistone Hill to steal third place from Jonathon Wright (who’d held that position for 30 miles!).
Sarah Rowell had an excellent finish, seemingly swept along by Ross Litherland, Jo Scott and Charlie Johnson to win the female event in a time of 4h56m20s. Martin Beale and Martin Indge were first team home in 4h44m25s.
The finish has to be a welcome relief after a fast ultra like the Wuthering Hike. It was all the more welcome given the friendly camaraderie in the event centre, some clement weather and the food and drink that was available.
