Haworth Hobble

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Originally Posted by stevefoster

I will enquire whether a man with a pint glass has been through, if the answer is no, i shall intruct the marshalls to save a pint for said glass:wink:

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You're a gentleman Steve.

I have to say if anyone took the shortcut across hazel edge down to Cant Clough Reservoir that would be very unsporting because it is a massive route deviation, plus the fact it is only a permissive path and not an official PROW for some of the way. Ok it is across open access land but we are now into the bird breeding season and so I would say it would jeopardise the race for the people to be going across that way.

Worth remembering that the rules state that you must follow the route as described, so unless I hear otherwise after the Long Causeway I guess I'll be going into the muddy field of doom then!

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Originally Posted by Twinkletoes

I have to say if anyone took the shortcut across hazel edge down to Cant Clough Reservoir that would be very unsporting because it is a massive route deviation, plus the fact it is only a permissive path and not an official PROW for some of the way. Ok it is across open access land but we are now into the bird breeding season and so I would say it would jeopardise the race for the people to be going across that way.

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That's fair enough and fair comment - the short cut I was referring to was just clipping a corner off Hurstwood, rather than the Hazel Edge one - which I don't know tbh. But for the sake of a minute or so I'll be taking the PBR all the way round.

Now as for the muddy field next to the track that isn't, I'm convinced it's quicker going through the fields than going round the road loop (which is a flagrant breach of the route). If you want to go round the road I'll have 400 yards on you! ;)

Now the trouble I have had on each of the last two hikes is the patch out of heptonstall .... always go across the road and through opposite gap and end up too low down? end up on a long lane that rejoins the track towards the CP. As I`ve no chance to recce now ... where am I going wrong? should I not cross that road directly???

cheers Mike

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Originally Posted by Mike D-H

Now the trouble I have had on each of the last two hikes is the patch out of heptonstall .... always go across the road and through opposite gap and end up too low down? end up on a long lane that rejoins the track towards the CP. As I`ve no chance to recce now ... where am I going wrong? should I not cross that road directly???

cheers Mike

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You should turn off the road just below the Cross, which is what I guess you are doing. You then take the 2nd option on the right. Not the footpath by the chapel at 90 degrees right, but the walled track that slants right downhill after this. This crosses the Heptonstall bypass at an angle & continues down to the Blue Pig.

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Originally Posted by Splatcher

You should turn off the road just below the Cross, which is what I guess you are doing. You then take the 2nd option on the right. Not the footpath by the chapel at 90 degrees right, but the walled track that slants right downhill after this. This crosses the Heptonstall bypass at an angle & continues down to the Blue Pig.

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An unnamed forumite thought the reverse of that was the way back to the finish at last year's Heptonstall Race :o

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Originally Posted by Splatcher

You should turn off the road just below the Cross, which is what I guess you are doing. You then take the 2nd option on the right. Not the footpath by the chapel at 90 degrees right, but the walled track that slants right downhill after this. This crosses the Heptonstall bypass at an angle & continues down to the Blue Pig.

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Cheers Andy, I'll get me specs on and have a good read on`t map :-O .... thanks again

The lovely Hobble article in the magazine has fired me up nicely for Saturday. I don't think I've ever been so badly prepared for it but I'm going to enjoy the run out how ever long it takes :thumbup:

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Originally Posted by Derby Tup

The lovely Hobble article in the magazine has fired me up nicely for Saturday. I don't think I've ever been so badly prepared for it but I'm going to enjoy the run out how ever long it takes :thumbup:

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Great article with some great pictures - I thought I had most of the required kit, but now realise I need to grow a moustache by Saturday

Sorry for delay in replying - been away!

I have had problems with the farmer at Stiperden, I think that generally people have used to farm track but I would appreciate if runners stuck to the footpath.

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Originally Posted by Tussockface

That's a very good question.
As I understand it, the official route is the 'path' that runs almost alongside the track. Except that it isn't really a path, because it's so pointless going that way that no-one apart from a Haworth Hobbler ever uses it. The result is that it's left rough, boggy and unmarked.
If the rationale is to minimise inconvenience to the farmer, I don't really get it:
1) The fields get churned up.
2) Right by the farm, you have to scramble back over a wall and drop down onto the track in any case.
3) The track itself is a major long distance route, while the 'path' isn't.

In my view, the BIG 'no-no' at this point is the cheat I see every year, where some people follow the road loop. This is longer, but much faster as it misses all the gloop at the bottom, and a significant descent and climb.


However, we should always follow the instructions given by organisers, as no-one wants to jeopardise an event.
Perhaps Brett can clarify this for us.

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Yup...

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Originally Posted by AndyA

Ooh now, that would be a bit cheeky, if you're talking about the permissive fp that runs next to Rams Clough; huge short cut!

Unfortunately the entry form actually mentions following the bridleway and passing the Hurstwood dam wall (shame!), which kind of prevents the short cut across the spoil heaps as well.

The route off the Long Causeway is an interesting one; I'd agree that the 2011 sweeper's GPS trace follows the track and I'll bet most runners did too.

I suspect Brett is keeping his head down on this one; he's appeased the land owner by putting the 'follow path, not track' wording in but I doubt it'll be an issue on the day.

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if anyone is looking for somewhere to stay, someone who has dropped out, had a twin room booked at Park Top House (07976-203932)

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Originally Posted by crowhill

That's fair enough and fair comment - the short cut I was referring to was just clipping a corner off Hurstwood, rather than the Hazel Edge one - which I don't know tbh. But for the sake of a minute or so I'll be taking the PBR all the way round.

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crowhill, if the corner cut you're referring to is the one by Hurstwood Brook that goes past a sheepfold, that's the official route anyway because the grid ref for CP2 that isn't is on that path junction.

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Originally Posted by Derby Tup

The lovely Hobble article in the magazine has fired me up nicely for Saturday. I don't think I've ever been so badly prepared for it but I'm going to enjoy the run out how ever long it takes :thumbup:

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You're welcome to keep me company if you think you can maintain a slow enough pace, DT.
Stef and I chatted our way up Stoodley last year, so I reckon it's your turn to provide the entertainment.
(Though to be fair, you used up a fair bit of repartee with me on the Trog.)

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Originally Posted by Tussockface

You're welcome to keep me company if you think you can maintain a slow enough pace, DT.
Stef and I chatted our way up Stoodley last year, so I reckon it's your turn to provide the entertainment.
(Though to be fair, you used up a fair bit of repartee with me on the Trog.)

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I might just take you up on that Tussock. I entered as a pair with my mate Dave C but he has a problem with his solar panels :closed:

Due to my comical lack of fitness, I'm going to pretend that I'm treating this as a training run for a 100 mile effort later in the year, i.e will spend 90% of the time walking and eating.

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Originally Posted by Dave Hardy

Due to my comical lack of fitness, I'm going to pretend that I'm treating this as a training run for a 100 mile effort later in the year, i.e will spend 90% of the time walking and eating.

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Loving your plan Dave ! I don't know route or area, so will be spending a lot of my time map reading, eating, walking, trying to catch up with people that know the way & waiting for people that also know the way ! Does anybody know how well marked, if at all, the course is ? After The Rosedale Ultra I was following bits of red ribbon in my sleep !!

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Originally Posted by Jez Hellewell

Loving your plan Dave ! I don't know route or area, so will be spending a lot of my time map reading, eating, walking, trying to catch up with people that know the way & waiting for people that also know the way ! Does anybody know how well marked, if at all, the course is ? After The Rosedale Ultra I was following bits of red ribbon in my sleep !!

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As far as I can remember it's not marked at all. Just attach a bit of red ribbon to the back of one of the other runners & you should be OK.:w00t:

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Originally Posted by Splatcher

As far as I can remember it's not marked at all. Just attach a bit of red ribbon to the back of one of the other runners & you should be OK.:w00t:

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Great idea, but knowing my luck I'll attach it to the back of Jez Bragg.

bloody hell- Dave- exactly my strategy...you're welcome to plod with me (if you're slow enough)- i know the route well....eskvalley vest and bigbelly should work fine as diagnostic id features....

Carbo-loading has begun seriously here. I had a huge plate of salami sarnies for dinner along with an Eccles cake the size of dustbin lid :closed:

I've had 4 slices of toast in the last two days due to a stomach bug and feel wasted, won't be hobbling sadly:thunbdown:

Will be there to offer abuse for those that are though;)

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Originally Posted by Derby Tup

Carbo-loading has begun seriously here. I had a huge plate of salami sarnies for dinner along with an Eccles cake the size of dustbin lid :closed:

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Pity anyone who happens to be racing downwind of you.

Don't forget - avoid the top car park (Changegate) in Haworth if you want to retain your sanity and your bank balance. Plenty of detail here

I'm going to be out near Tod golf course with my hounds to shout you all on. Have to go to work at 11 though. Sorry if dogs bite you or trip you up.. (joking)

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Originally Posted by Longdogs

I'm going to be out near Tod golf course with my hounds to shout you all on. Have to go to work at 11 though. Sorry if dogs bite you or trip you up.. (joking)

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Narr it dunt bite, it just rips of clothing, and the owner just laughs.

Hope your ok Steve Merrylegs.

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Originally Posted by Stagger

Hope your ok Steve Merrylegs.

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Ok mate, but not ok enough to run.

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Originally Posted by Marvin

Don't forget - avoid the top car park (Changegate) in Haworth if you want to retain your sanity and your bank balance. Plenty of detail here

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Anyone know how much AntiSally charges for parking at the school?

Just sat in the Fleece Inn, in Haworth now, fueling up with a steak and ale pie.

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Originally Posted by Dave Hardy

Just sat in the Fleece Inn, in Haworth now, fueling up with a steak and ale pie.

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Oooh! I can taste it now.

I can report that it went down a treat.

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Originally Posted by Dave Hardy

I can report that it went down a treat.

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All you need now is a cheeky half gallon of Ram Tam to wash it down :closed:

Looking forward to the Hike tomorrow.
I've been following this thread on and off - have I missed the "what shoes?" and the dodgy weather forecast posts?

Looking forward to this - just finished my race-food recce....the donuts and hotdogs went down well :-)
Marking the map now and seems to have one or two tricky area's to Nav - but Im sure it'll be all right on the night (actually hope Im not out at night!)

Good Luck all you Hobblers, gutted to miss it, literally, bad gutted. Would have been 5th year on the trot (no pun intended)

I'll be spectating with Crumblydown:)

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Originally Posted by stevefoster

Good Luck all you Hobblers, gutted to miss it, literally, bad gutted. Would have been 5th year on the trot (no pun intended)

I'll be spectating with Crumblydown:)

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See you guys later Steve :)

Cracking race, and great value for money. £11 to enter? I must have eaten that much in hot cross buns, I basically got the 32 miles for free.

Well done all, great run by Crowhill coming in second, i was knackered just watching you all today. If anyone noticed them wind turbines turning faster, it was me, i've been ill:o
Crumblydown got rather emotional and began to cry!

Great race & camaraderie all the way round. Except the guy who snotted in my face. Cheers. Maybe the wind can take partial responsibility. Ran with Frazer, the winner of the Kabul Marathon 2010 ! 5.22, pretty pleased. Only saw Derby Tup all day from the forums. Sorry for dashing off to the loo mate. Glad I did, as I queued for half an hour & just made the start. Big thank's to the joker who told me the race goes down the cobbles at the start ( I know, I know, I should have known), so I started at the back. Just sitting down with a cup of tea ready to put the children to bed so I can open my stout ! Well done to all.