Rombalds Stride

How very dare you sir!!

To be fair Matt, I always thought it was (and should be) a strictly prescribed route, so all the talk of route choice was completely obsolete. But then one year I saw the leaders taking the line down Keighley Gate road in full view of marshalls who said nothing to them, so I took it as well. Only done it the once and it was definitely quicker than the wall. Personally I'd have a self clip at Buckstones so the wall route becomes almost mandatory.

I haven't read the route description for years so I've no idea what it says anymore, or if it leaves scope for route choice at all. Not being a 'race' as such, I think everyone should have to follow the same route otherwise local knowledge on the Moor can play a bit too much of a part.

It doesn't seem cheaty to me (though I've never chosen that route - yet). For one, I asked the marshals who said it's fine. Secondly, it does still go to buck stones if you follow the trail. Third, it's longer. Fourth, I don't think it's any quicker, just more runnable and perhaps less energy sapping therefore. Fifth, it only ever seems to be the choice of those right at the front, and no one ever complains. So, why not try it and see?

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Originally Posted by MattPo

That smells a bit cheaty to me Dave. It will p*ss off other runners. Left of the wall is best.

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he's injured and therefore probably not engaging on running discussions. I guess he's probably either swimming or stoking up some argument about dogs and their owners.

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Originally Posted by wjb

Left or right of the wall after Keighley Gate Road? Always been left for me but I've heard some people go right with mixed success. I'm surprised Ilkley Swimmer hasn't reared his head with all these route choice discussions!

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Originally Posted by benshep

It doesn't seem cheaty to me (though I've never chosen that route - yet). For one, I asked the marshals who said it's fine. Secondly, it does still go to buck stones if you follow the trail. Third, it's longer. Fourth, I don't think it's any quicker, just more runnable and perhaps less energy sapping therefore. Fifth, it only ever seems to be the choice of those right at the front, and no one ever complains. So, why not try it and see?

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I have tried it, but not whilst in the race, and yes it can be a bit quicker, but doesn't seem very fair to me.

Life isn't fair Matt

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Originally Posted by BritNick

I'll throw mine in with a little over 4 hours for my 18th consecutive. I don't think I'm quite in PB form.

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I don't know the Rombalds Stride, but 18 consecutive of anything is impressive! nice one!! Best I managed was 11 Great Cumbrian Half marathons and 11 consecutive full NYSD XC seasons.

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Originally Posted by wjb

Life isn't fair Matt

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Its a lot fairer now I'm a free man:D

A quote from 2014:

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Originally Posted by Rob Furness

I can now confirm that the left of the wall is quicker. I was running with Dan and Will at whetstone gate and left ahead of them to do the cowpers cross route. They took the top line and came out about 50m ahead of me at buck stones.

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Another glorious day for the Stride although I don't think I've seen it that muddy before. Happy with my 3h26 after not competing since 2014. Good to catch up with some people I've not seen for a while.

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Originally Posted by wjb

Another glorious day for the Stride although I don't think I've seen it that muddy before. Happy with my 3h26 after not competing since 2014. Good to catch up with some people I've not seen for a while.

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I also thought it was particularly muddy. Conditions were pretty mild weren't they? I can't say I had the best day out, I fell on the slabs over Ilkley Moor and came a proper cropper ..... actually, perhaps it's more accurate to say that I was mugged :D

Anyhow, on the subject of route: I agree that the expectation in events like this is that everyone follows the same route (more or less), we had a big debate about this after the Hebden a few weeks back, because some people definitely got an advantage that day by deviating from the prescribed route. It's all down to interpretation I suppose .... for instance, today I followed what I believe is viewed as the "correct" route from the top of Rocky Valley down to the conduit, but one gentleman - joining the main path after having taken the lower (slower) line, intimated that I was doing something that wasn't quite cricket. As far as I'm concerned it was HIM who had taken the wrong line, but like I say, it's all down to interpretation.

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Originally Posted by ChevinbyTorchlight

.......... Personally I'd have a self clip at Buckstones so the wall route becomes almost mandatory

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I'd agree with this. I don't know why they never have.

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Originally Posted by Martyn P

I also thought it was particularly muddy. Conditions were pretty mild weren't they? I can't say I had the best day out, I fell on the slabs over Ilkley Moor and came a proper cropper ..... actually, perhaps it's more accurate to say that I was mugged :D

Anyhow, on the subject of route: I agree that the expectation in events like this is that everyone follows the same route (more or less), we had a big debate about this after the Hebden a few weeks back, because some people definitely got an advantage that day by deviating from the prescribed route. It's all down to interpretation I suppose .... for instance, today I followed what I believe is viewed as the "correct" route from the top of Rocky Valley down to the conduit, but one gentleman - joining the main path after having taken the lower (slower) line, intimated that I was doing something that wasn't quite cricket. As far as I'm concerned it was HIM who had taken the wrong line, but like I say, it's all down to interpretation.

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I think the conduit is the accepted and best route as far as most people are concerned. I don't think there are really any advantages to be gained with route choice on Rombalds Stride to be honest. For example, I stuck to the edge path all the way to Burley Moor from the conduit and saw some people staying higher to my right, but they didn't gain any advantage. I tried to be clever on Baildon Moor but went too far right and had to do an out and back along the road to the checkpoint! Spoke to some faster runners after the race who tried the Cowpers Cross route and they said they lost time compared to others following the wall after Whetstonegate.

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Originally Posted by brummievet

Cheers. I'm certainly not going to be out in front! I'm probably only quibbling over 2 mins difference but it's all good beta for the route ahead! Having not done it before I'm not sure on a time prediction. I'll be happy finishing around when Multiterrainer does I guess...!

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Only just seen this! I'm hoping you finished well ahead of me today brummievet as I was taking it easy due to ongoing Achilles niggles and having had dreaded lurgy at the beginning of this week. That coupled with wrong shoe choice leading to a slip/fall or two (Adidas Kanadias have been fine in drier underfoot conditions but not today) meant a personal worst by over half hour finishing in 4:39. Despite everything it was a grand day out, oh and my first time doing the conduit crossing but gave Cowpers Cross a miss as having done that 2 years ago feel I lost about 3 mins on those around me. :)

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Originally Posted by Multiterrainer

Only just seen this! I'm hoping you finished well ahead of me today brummievet as I was taking it easy due to ongoing Achilles niggles and having had dreaded lurgy at the beginning of this week. That coupled with wrong shoe choice leading to a slip/fall or two (Adidas Kanadias have been fine in drier underfoot conditions but not today) meant a personal worst by over half hour finishing in 4:39. Despite everything it was a grand day out, oh and my first time doing the conduit crossing but gave Cowpers Cross a miss as having done that 2 years ago feel I lost about 3 mins on those around me. :)

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I really enjoyed it and was secretly hoping for a sub 4 hr and managed 3:48 so quite pleased. I wish I'd worn my mudclaws I must admit. There were a few occasions when I fell over and was swearing at my Salomons. It was a great event though. I've never eaten so many biscuits and cakes whilst running! Hope the slips didn't do too much damage.

Glad you enjoyed your first Stride brummievet that's a good time in those conditions.

Does anyone else's feet hurt today from running on the flagstones?

Well, not so much feet but I definitely hurt from running on the flagstones! You know how some of them were submerged? I ran onto what I thought was one, turns out it had completely sank and of course I went in deep, my shin caught the slab in front and I did a delightful rolling somersault up the path.

Am pissed-off because that shin had only just mended after a fall on Fleetwith Pike last year.

I think the walkers who set off early should be made to go up the road to checkpoint 2 rather than climbing up the 'racing line'. When I arrived yesterday there was a group of walkers who had set off early blocking the way and they seemed surprised when I climbed past them through the heather!

I'm never sure whether to laugh or cry when folk talk about PB's, gaining advantage, race lines, optimum routes etc for walkers' events. The challenge is you versus the route as I understood it

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Originally Posted by wjb

A quote from 2014:

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Still true. I followed Mr Sheppard on this route today and lost places and time again. I won't be bothering with the cowpers cross route again.

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Originally Posted by wjb

Does anyone else's feet hurt today from running on the flagstones?

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My everything hurts ;)

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Originally Posted by Derby Tup

I'm never sure whether to laugh or cry when folk talk about PB's, gaining advantage, race lines, optimum routes etc for walkers' events. The challenge is you versus the route as I understood it

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I can see your point but there are trophies to be won and certificates with your time! Add in that a lot of the runners know each other and it becomes quite competitve!

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Originally Posted by wjb

Does anyone else's feet hurt today from running on the flagstones?

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Given me bemoaning my shoe choice I was actually relieved to get to the flagstones for once, soon got bored of them though!

I wore proper fell shoes and was thankful for the grip. I didn't falter once apart from a few minor uncertainties on the climb of the Chevin.

Having studied the alternative 'cross' route after Whetstone Gate on Tracklogs and Google Earth, I can't see the advantage. I tried it once a few years ago and abandoned the attempt, returning to the top. As usual this year I took the unofficial LHS along the wall. They stipulate the RHS but I know how bad that really is, unless it's hard frozen. A long time ago when I took that route I stood on frozen lakes and could see clearly into the abysses beneath my feet.

DT, many of us always push for PBs even as we age and they become more elusive. We compete with those around our speed. Do I take it from your negative comment that you've given up so have knock others who try? FYI I was 18 minutes outside PB on this route and I feel mildly content. :)

Photos. I managed to take a few, but fewer action shots than I would have liked on account of the effort.

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Originally Posted by Derby Tup

I'm never sure whether to laugh or cry when folk talk about PB's, gaining advantage, race lines, optimum routes etc for walkers' events. The challenge is you versus the route as I understood it

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Totally agree DT, although(based on wjb's points) I cannot see Rombalds going down the line of the likes of the Kilburn Kanter and only listing finishers in alphabetical order with times alongside.

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Originally Posted by Derby Tup

I'm never sure whether to laugh or cry when folk talk about PB's, gaining advantage, race lines, optimum routes etc for walkers' events. The challenge is you versus the route as I understood it

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As a middle of the pack runner, it's always just me vs the route anyway. The thing is at this one they publish winners, finishing times and you get a certificate with your time on so it feels like a race really. I wouldn't mind not having all that though because it's great fun. The early starting walkers were all holding the gates open for runners which I thought was really good of them and they all said well done as I went past which I reciprocated. They were all good sports.

After the flagstones I went right and cut to the Cross before running on the good runnable trail to the Rocks. This is the way I was lead in 2012 the first year I did it. But, it seemed like I was 1-2 mins! behind the runners I had been with at the CP so its Definitely not a faster option. Hey ho!

Great day for it tho (y) provided in your shoe choice you'd accounted for that predictable mud with the overnight rain.
When are the results usually out?

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Originally Posted by Toyota_Crown

When are the results usually out?

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It can take a couple of weeks or so.

Results

https://lookaside.fbsbx.com/file/Rom...z-NoWw3JtEHkOA

ta rob. noticed a big jump improvement in your time/placing, well done bud.

good to see the results were properly recorded (to the second)- unlike last year.

shame the start was a bit chaotic, caught some folks out. can't they borrow a school bell!

Big jump since last year, but I've run under 3hrs before and finished top 5. I usually arrive at Rombalds under trained so it's pot luck how it turns out ;)

bear in mind it's only a walking challenge.

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Originally Posted by Toyota_Crown

ta rob. noticed a big jump improvement in your time/placing, well done bud.

good to see the results were properly recorded (to the second)- unlike last year.

shame the start was a bit chaotic, caught some folks out. can't they borrow a school bell!

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I can't get this link to work, any tips on how to download?!

Results now available from Airedale Scout group :

http://www.15thairedale.co.uk/wp-con...17-Results.pdf

It's that time again! Who's having a trot out? There will be a large posse from Otley AC. Lets eat cake and fall in bogs.

i would assume it's going to be distinctly white, especially up on the moors. whoohoo

can anyone recommend a decent GPX file, now I can actually follow a route with a decent GPS watch(935).
as it can be a bit sketchy getting across the sunken drain thingy after Rocky Valley.
in general should be lots of runners footprints to follow in the snow tho hopefully...

I'll be there. 12th time.
Will it be 19 in a row for BritNick?

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Originally Posted by Toyota_Crown

i would assume it's going to be distinctly white, especially up on the moors. whoohoo

can anyone recommend a decent GPX file, now I can actually follow a route with a decent GPS watch(935).
as it can be a bit sketchy getting across the sunken drain thingy after Rocky Valley.
in general should be lots of runners footprints to follow in the snow tho hopefully...

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Just cross the sunken drain thingy and head upwards, bearing right.The path's pretty clear.

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Originally Posted by Tussockface

I'll be there. 12th time.
Will it be 19 in a row for BritNick?

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That was last year. 20th time this year. I'm quite looking forward to it I have to say.

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Originally Posted by BritNick

That was last year. 20th time this year. I'm quite looking forward to it I have to say.

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CONGRATS! Nick

Not quite 20, but 7th time for me and the best conditions and views today. Good to run some of it with Nick - bravely in shorts. A fine morning out and then pies!

‘A fine morning out and then pies!’ What’s not to like eh??!!