If found the Wuthering Hike a month ago hard and given that the Calderdale Hike is in a similar area was unsure whether to enter. However, after a bit more training I decided to take part again for the third time. I’ve cut out a section of the Pennines OS 1:25000 sheet and marked up the Wuthering and Calderdale Hike on it. But this year the route has been almost completely changed so the old map needed a few additions stuck on here and there to cover the whole course.
The weather was almost perfect – last year hail, and two years ago 20+°C. So wearing minimal clothes plus some sun cream we waited for the very informal start. The starter said something like “Well have a god run everyone and off you go” which caught a few off guard. We streamed out of the cricket club grounds and plummeted down the steep road to the canal. A couple of lads had really gone off fast – I never saw them again – presumably Beale & Indge. Otherwise it was a dozen or so that ascended away from the first checkpoint – the only one to exist from last year – and climbed up on to Midgley Moor and to the Crown Hill Nook cp – a tent on top of the moor (nice day for it). By this time everyone was warmed up. There was a cool breeze but only gentle. Conditions underfoot – dry (apart from a few bogs later on).
Walkers who were also doing the hike had started one or two hours earlier and we now started to overtake a few of them – they acted as good way markers in the distance which helped with navigation. They don’t mind the odd runner coming through and generally stand out of the way. By now I’ve lost sight of the chasing pack ahead and stick with a few others who are travelling at my pace – marmite shirt, sandwich eater, navigator man and two Lancashire lads. After descending to Lumb Hole the corresponding steep climb up gives me a welcome chance to take stock, have a wee, have a nibble and settle down a bit. After suffering a cold for the last few days I had wondered whether this race might be a non starter or at best brief, but so far so good [the cold returned as soon as I got home – bodies are wonderful the way they cope].
The next few check points are a blur – it’s just great to be running on the tops of the moors, a clear day with great views – there’s very little sign of any runners ahead! Apparently the Lancashire Lads are using this as build up for the UTMB; thankfully there’s no sign of snow today. A bit more road to Widdop cp, grab some water and off again. As we leave Widdop reservoir there is a sharp hairpin bend and people take various routes around and next to it. This is the sixth time I’ve been round the bend and I learnt yet another route which others took saving a good 5 seconds! Now I’ll have to do another race just to try this out.
Interesting route choices around Rams Clough. One of the runners – navigator man – takes yet another different route from everyone. He’s quicker than most but makes terrible route choices, and so ends up behind the group again as he arrives along the southern edge of Cant Clough reservoir. He’s soon ahead though and leading the way to Long Causeway cp which he reaches first and then heads of again South while we go West! The Lancashire lads are now ahead as they plough along the road whilst marmite shirt and sandwich eater and I follow at a distance and we all charge into the peaceful Holme Chapel Chapel for punching and refreshment top ups. Here sandwich eater takes a sandwich and marmite shirt takes the toilet. I think that maybe those two will now drop behind so I work hard to stay with the Lancashire lads.
It’s a steep climb out of Holme Chapel – a temporary sign even says so (Is that for our benefit?) and we carry on up – on my extended bit of map – to Thieveley Pike cp. But coming past fast on this ascent is sandwich man eating his sandwich and marmite shirt who must have had no time to enjoy his ‘sit’ down, wow. I snatch some water from the marshal’s 4 litre bottle – thanks. For a while I’m ahead of the Lancashire Lads as one of them, Dave, struggles a bit.
Lots of running now with no walking breaks for climbs as we curve round the south west edge of the moors along Limers Gate past a few scrambling motorbikes and the cp is reached. What a treat awaits under the awning – a catering size tray of perhaps 30 slices of things like Millionaires shortbread. I take a piece, easily swallow it and then realise my system doesn’t want to digest it and so I find its still near the top of my stomach at the next check point at Foul Clough Road. We’ve gone up and over Weather Hill which did provide a small opportunity to just walk. Having left the moors we now descend steeply on road through Walsden. I’m joined by the Lancashire lads whose rece of this part of the course is proving valuable. It’s pleasant along the canal and there’s some interest at the Dean Royd cp with some competitors doubling back along the track after visiting the cp. We head directly up the Penine bridleway gulping down water from the cp.
A steep climb up and then along the Walsden Moor edge, the track easy to follow – and thankfully the mud is dry. Some road and then Lumbutts is reached and car driver points out to us the Methodist church which we find bust both outside and in. Banana and water are taken onboard. We go for the tourist route and the ‘gentle’ incline up to Stoodley Pike - yes, run along the bottom and then sharp up is probably quicker and this is pointed out to us by a retiree - but is a nice day! By the time the top is reached I’m feeling knackered and can only manage a slow stumble rather than a run. But the marshals are there again and with tally punched the Lancashire lads and I head off for the penultimate cp at Withins Clough.
There’s some bog underfoot – the first significant patch of bog on the whole route – showing how dry it’s been – or what a good route it is. A few people check us to make sure we are not walkers who are running – and let us carry on. A small gathering of helpers and general well wishers see us continue down the Calderdale Way / road. Its road, tracks and fields now rather than moorland as our group of three wend its way to Shaw’s Lane cp. There’s no other competitors in site behind or in front as we get clipped and begin a 2 mile gentle road descent – ‘Oh no, not more road’, I think as my feet are feeling quite sore. However, with the finish gradually coming into sight – or at least the top of the church – the pain is not quite so prevalent. I try to keep on the tails of the Lancashire Lads and eventually John in front is receiving the first round of applause of the spectators outside the finish pavilion, then its Dave’s turn, and finally I round the corner and then it’s my turn. It’s a good feeling being applauded by your fellow competitors – even if some had been finished for an hour.
We sit on the balcony and join in the applauding; others are sprawled on the cricket pitch grass. The sun is still out and its really pleasant just relaxing whilst everything stiffens up. A jacket potato and dressings is welcome food from the on-route sweet stuff.
Again a superbly manned and well organised event. Thanks to everyone.
