Round Rotherham Race. 50 Miles

It made me smile Nick and it was nice to have the memory stirred after a fortnight. I too had a very bad patch after a rather rapid start ( I knew there would be trouble when I could still see the likes of Pete Waywell not far in front). Tears in the Country Park and then lots of talking to self plus the boost of meeting others like Colm got me through to the end. It wasn't pretty or as fast as I would have liked but I was pleased not to jack it in. Perhaps next year will be better? How quickly we forget...

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Originally Posted by Don't fear the sweeper

Did anyone else see the fridge in the river?

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I think I saw two. Also found myself asking directions from four dodgy looking hooded youths gathered around a Impreza (?sp) in an empty industrial estate.

Generally found this race hard as I'm still staggering back to fitness after a stop/start year. Also I'm just not used to being asked to run for quite such a large proportion of a race, the lack of hills somehow made it harder!
If I could add another excuse to the pot, the police helicopter buzzing the campervans in the car park in the middle of the night before the race didn't help either.
Thought the marshalls and general organisation was great, thanks to all concerned.

Thanks Jodg!:D

Karen, don't worry about feeling rough at the country park. It always happens around there. The first time I attempted this event a lo-o-o-ong time ago I experienced my first (hence devastating) DNF after there. I couldn't understand what had gone so wrong. I know now and realise you can push through such low points and come out the other side (just like you did). :thumbup:

Duff, you're so right about so much of it being runnable making it tough.

Online entries are now open, for all you Runfurther series nutters. My entry's in already, & considering my state after yesterday's Calderdale Hike I can probably make out a case to be chief nutter.

Now do I want to do this one again? I feel I should go and do a better job and I know the company would be good but it was not exactly scenic. Perhaps I'll wait until after the H Fling. I might need it as my long for the series

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Originally Posted by BritNick

Basil, was it the branch on the left of the stile before the underpass and field with sunflowers that impaled you? That one impaled me last year so I was looking out for it this year. I must remember to take my secateurs next year.

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Originally Posted by Basil

That's the one! I didn't dare stop at the time. After 70k you have to keep plodding on!

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Just been along there this evening. Someones been down and cut it off at the root. Only thing is, it might have been the only thing lending the timber some integrity as thats all now at some wierd angle.

We'll manage I'm sure. Anything's better than getting impaled.

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Originally Posted by karen nash

Now do I want to do this one again? I feel I should go and do a better job and I know the company would be good but it was not exactly scenic.

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My thoughts exactly, but it's the only long one I can do this year. I lost the will to live last year & didn't finish. So much of it is pretty unpleasant really.

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Originally Posted by Splatcher

So much of it is pretty unpleasant really.

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I can't believe you've said that! There are some really nice bits. OK - not the last section or the bit near the motorway, but in 50 miles, that's not bad.

I did it as a relay last year and thoroughly enjoyed the day. Might do that again.

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Originally Posted by Splatcher

My thoughts exactly, but it's the only long one I can do this year. I lost the will to live last year & didn't finish. So much of it is pretty unpleasant really.

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It's the only long I can do this year too, so I'm in already.

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Originally Posted by socks

I can't believe you've said that! There are some really nice bits.

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I am sure you are right. Isn't Rotherham what you see from the Tinsley viaduct on the M1?

Or am I confusing it with Keswick?

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Originally Posted by Graham Breeze

Isn't Rotherham what you see from the Tinsley viaduct on the M1?

Or am I confusing it with Keswick?

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Graham, you can't see Rotherham from Keswick

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Originally Posted by Derby Tup

Graham, you can't see Rotherham from Keswick

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Nor would you wish to.

It has often been referred to as 'Sheffield's Car Park'.

Not by me, you understand.

But much of it is.

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Originally Posted by simgreen78

It has often been referred to as 'Sheffield's Car Park'.

Not by me, you understand.

But much of it is.

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Most of the cars seemed to be burnt out Fiestas when I ran it. They were some of the scenic highlights iirc :closed:

It's a good job this is the ROUND Rotherham then and not the Through Rotherham. Now that would be dire.

I like this event. There's loads of nice countryside, and this is the only event where we get to see a grotty bit here, a festering bit there, which is a novelty in itself. I like novelties.

Oops. I hadn't meant to cause offense. Just that compared with most of my non urban running it does have some grotty bits and no really wild country.(say compared to Long Mynd which it replaced). I did enjoy the bit by the abbey and the wierd obelsik thing and some other bits. It was very well organised and I suspect I will do it again.

A Through Rotherham Five held at say 11-30pm on a Saturday night could lead to some quick times :closed:

I have never understood why, when some boring bits of countryside like the Lake District need a wind farm to add a bit of interest, Rotherham went and demolished those two lovely cooling towers at Tinsley.

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Originally Posted by BritNick

It's a good job this is the ROUND Rotherham then and not the Through Rotherham. Now that would be dire.

I like this event. There's loads of nice countryside, and this is the only event where we get to see a grotty bit here, a festering bit there, which is a novelty in itself. I like novelties.

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I'll second that Nick. It is a very urban first 1/3 or so, that's true, but it does make you appreciate the arable & wooded sections later on. Some of the countryside and wee places you pass through were very picturesque indeed (as opposed to going under the M1).

It's a cracking event.

So who is doing this one.....?
I must admit it doesn't sound too inspring but i feel i should give it a go!!!!
Concerned I may get lost though?

Vicci

I'm doing it, it's the complete opposite to the type of race I usually like (less than 20 miles, hilly and rough) so should be interesting! Also slightly worried about getting lost as it goes almost past my work and I'd never hear the end of it if I blundered lost into some of my students.

I'm also using it to raise some cash for the Sheffield Childrens' Hospital..... so will be wearing a garish blue and yellow vest rather than my usual tasteful brown, purple and yellow.

anyone who's done it before, middle of leg 7 looks considerably different. Bit where you were running through fields of willow trees.

Well they've now been harvested, field boundaries dug up & disappeared, fields merged.

I've entered this, but am currently out injured. If I do it, it'll be as my 'comeback' run. Can't decide if that's stupid, because 50 miles is a long way, or smart, because it's flat and I'll be taking it very slowly.

I felt I had to enter again this year, as I got the wrong day last year and missed it...:o

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Originally Posted by Tussockface

I've entered this, but am currently out injured. If I do it, it'll be as my 'comeback' run. Can't decide if that's stupid, because 50 miles is a long way, or smart, because it's flat and I'll be taking it very slowly.

I felt I had to enter again this year, as I got the wrong day last year and missed it...:o

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I saw that when reading the thread - ooops!

I am not looking forward to it i must say but......it's another ultra to add to the list!

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Originally Posted by vburke

So who is doing this one.....?
I must admit it doesn't sound too inspring but i feel i should give it a go!!!!
Concerned I may get lost though?

Vicci

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You'll love it. Just download the strip map within the final week (in case of last-minute changes) and follow it unerringly as you run. You won't go wrong and you'll be dragging others back on route as well. The RRR is unique, such a mix of scenery from grot to quite nice really, and micro navigation opportunities for you to gain on others who are not following the strip map quite so well.

Last year quite a few missed the turn off the canal on leg 1 not far from the start which cost them quite a bit of time. I was in a group that did the same but we realised our mistake after a few yards. The strip maps are good...but you need to concentrate!!

Cheers for the tip Nick. I've printed out the OS map to go in the bag just in case I get off route and was wondering how good the strip maps are....

I did it a few years ago and followed the strip map with the os in the bag too and it went well
Nav wise without using os . I'm doing it this year and primarly using the strip map it is a unique map and as nick said quite variable if memory serves right.

What are these magoc Strip maps? And where will I find them!?

Strip maps here:

http://www.hmarston.co.uk/rhac/trail/rrr_map/rr_map.pdf

Oh! Thank you ! They look exciting! Hope i don't get carried away looking at the pretty pictures and lose my way!

Well it looks like I'll have to pull out of this one too. Over 6 weeks since I started coughing, & I'm still not out of the woods. I'm on the mend & I'll probably be OK to run by the 15th, but I'm no longer anywhere near fit enough to get round in 9 hours. And if I can't get round in 9 hours I won't be able to make it to Wasdale in time for the JNLC dinner. I'm not going to be able to keep running for 50 miles without getting back into training for a while first. Have a good run all of you.

..and it looks like I'm out, too.
Still not able to run at all with a dodgy hamstring, so 50 miles isn't going to be on. That's two years in a row I've forfeited the entry fee.

....and the prize for the least inspiring race goes to......

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Originally Posted by TheReverand

....and the prize for the least inspiring race goes to......

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...though it does have the most alliterative name (Rowbotham's Round Rotherham Round) since the 'Red Rose Road Runners' Ribchester Roman Road Road Race' disappeared!

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Originally Posted by Tussockface

...though it does have the most alliterative name (Rowbotham's Round Rotherham Round) since the 'Red Rose Road Runners' Ribchester Roman Road Road Race' disappeared!

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(... presumably up its own Rs...):)

Sorry to hear you will be missing Andy, was hoping to run with you. Get well soon and enjoy your JNC glory ( i still need to fid a new date)

The rest of you. Hmm Rotherham- there are bits that ae truely awful but some bits were lovely and it did make me appreciate where I live and where I usually get to run!!

You're a mine of information, Tussockface. R's ahoy! Sorry to hear you'll have to miss it for a second year. I'll miss you. Hopefully 2012.

Andy, you not better yet? There must be something you can inhale to improve the situation. I'll miss you too at RRR. Get well in time for The Dinner.

After many years I've come to realise that the RRR holds a unique magic that's unmatched by most other events; the nice bits stand out after the 'less nice' bits. It's a good test of personal resolve too, and when the conditions are perfect like they've been since it moved to October, the whole experience can be quite uplifting. I keep returning as a result.

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Originally Posted by BritNick

After many years I've come to realise that the RRR holds a unique magic that's unmatched by most other events; the nice bits stand out after the 'less nice' bits. It's a good test of personal resolve too, and when the conditions are perfect like they've been since it moved to October, the whole experience can be quite uplifting. I keep returning as a result.

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I agree there's something about this event. I still think it's gone wussey though moving from December. The strip maps are ace. Sorry to miss it this year (doing my bit on the LDWA committee!).