The Hebden

Wait and see :D

What sort of answer is that? Think you'd better eat lots of turkey over Christmas to make sure you can make it all the way round :D

Turkey - no

Sprouts - yes :D

I did this last year and came third, is a crackin race and will be back!

I'm in, but see they have changed the course to avoid some muddy sections. I hope not too much as i spend hours recce'ing last year. Does anyone know the changed bits? Spose al have to read it!

[QUOTE=chris brown;163312Spose al have to read it![/QUOTE]

Go on Chris. You can do it!

But if you can't be bothered, you can always follow me, like at the 'Walk to 'Ell'' !! ;);)

Very pleased so many of you are coming back to do The Hebden again on 3rd January. Yes we have altered the route. Firstly we are giving information in the route description so that entrants unfamiliar with Hardcastle Craggs can use the main drag to Gibsons Mill if they wish leaving the walkers to take the scenic route as many of them like to do.
Secondly the major changes are all in the second half and consist of taking a higher level route rather than slogging it through the mud in the valleys. The changes are all underlined in the route description. I am contemplating marking the route through Whams Wood as it is not easy to find but the change along Windle Hill is straight forward so is unlikely to be way marked.
Either way if you take the old route by mistake the mileage is about the same.
Don't forget your towels as there are showers at the Community Centre.
Regards
Alan G

What's the route - distance/ascent?

I can't get that map software to work. Anyone got this one in a different format?

There was some debate on last year's thread about the ascent. I think Chris B came up with a figure of 5340ft. :eek:

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Originally Posted by Tussockface

There was some debate on last year's thread about the ascent. I think Chris B came up with a figure of 5340ft. :eek:

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Think that sounds about Tussockface . I seem to remember it being ever so slightly muddy in one or two patches too last year ;) :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alan Greenwood

Very pleased so many of you are coming back to do The Hebden again on 3rd January. Yes we have altered the route. Firstly we are giving information in the route description so that entrants unfamiliar with Hardcastle Craggs can use the main drag to Gibsons Mill if they wish leaving the walkers to take the scenic route as many of them like to do.
Secondly the major changes are all in the second half and consist of taking a higher level route rather than slogging it through the mud in the valleys. The changes are all underlined in the route description. I am contemplating marking the route through Whams Wood as it is not easy to find but the change along Windle Hill is straight forward so is unlikely to be way marked.
Either way if you take the old route by mistake the mileage is about the same.
Don't forget your towels as there are showers at the Community Centre.
Regards
Alan G

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Hi Alan
Personally speaking, i struggle with route descriptions, tend to get cold and so much prefer a route map. Once you have the route sorted, would there be any chance of it on a map, along with the alternative old route you suggested? Would other runners prefer this?

Hi Chris
I have every sympathy with your comments about route descriptions and your desire to get your head down without having to try and read one at the same time. Our object in changing the route is to try and get on to firmer ground because in places the mud is attrocious. We have had two years of wet conditions so I thought it was time to try and remedy this. You watch this year now we have done it the ground will be rock hard with frost.
Anyway possibly the answer is to waymark both the major changes to the route and to leave you to find your way round the few minor changes made elsewhere and the rest of the route. Additionally and bearing in mind that we now have a large proportion of runners on the event I will put together for you what you want using Tracklogs mapping software showing the old and new routes. Send me an email at [email protected] with your address and I will post maps on four sheets to you at around 1:18000 scale. You can then let me have your comments as to their suitability so I can think about issuing them to others.
Just to answer earlier queries the mileage is about 22 miles with roughly 4400 ft of ascent. Also anyone having trouble downloading the route from the website can contact me and I will change the trackpoints to whatever system they are using.
Regards
Alan G

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alan Greenwood

Hi Chris
I have every sympathy with your comments about route descriptions and your desire to get your head down without having to try and read one at the same time. Our object in changing the route is to try and get on to firmer ground because in places the mud is attrocious. We have had two years of wet conditions so I thought it was time to try and remedy this. You watch this year now we have done it the ground will be rock hard with frost.
Anyway possibly the answer is to waymark both the major changes to the route and to leave you to find your way round the few minor changes made elsewhere and the rest of the route. Additionally and bearing in mind that we now have a large proportion of runners on the event I will put together for you what you want using Tracklogs mapping software showing the old and new routes. Send me an email at [email protected] with your address and I will post maps on four sheets to you at around 1:18000 scale. You can then let me have your comments as to their suitability so I can think about issuing them to others.
Just to answer earlier queries the mileage is about 22 miles with roughly 4400 ft of ascent. Also anyone having trouble downloading the route from the website can contact me and I will change the trackpoints to whatever system they are using.
Regards
Alan G

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when you say issuing maps to others, do you mean to all on race day or just a select few who request them
cheers
Mark

Sorry Mark I was not proposing to issue maps to entrants nor anything else other than what is on the website. I have now put a comparison between the 2009 and 2008 routes in PDF format there. This should enable you to print it off although you will need to be a very good navigator to follow the map on the hoof in an area like Calderdale. Anyway it should give you some idea as to where you are going. The website address is www.alangreenwood.biz/index.html then select The Hebden 2009 . Download from there what you want.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alan Greenwood

Sorry Mark I was not proposing to issue maps to entrants nor anything else other than what is on the website. I have now put a comparison between the 2009 and 2008 routes in PDF format there. This should enable you to print it off although you will need to be a very good navigator to follow the map on the hoof in an area like Calderdale. Anyway it should give you some idea as to where you are going. The website address is www.alangreenwood.biz/index.html then select The Hebden 2009 . Download from there what you want.

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Ta Alan:D

I did a recce of this today including the route changes. I really struggled with the one after cp4, no proper path and hidden styles. I had to follow the route description very carefully walking/searching for over half an hour. I would recommend looking over this 2/3mile stretch before the day. The other 2 changes are ok to leave till the day

Hi Chris
You are absolutely correct it is not easy to find your way over the new section from CP4. Trying to run and navigate at the same time is also virtually impossible so against all my walking principles I have decided to waymark that section with red and white tape along with the later new section. I will do this on Wednesday 31 December and hope the farmers do not take the tape down before Saturday the 3rd. The sweep will do that on the day. Sorry that this is not in the official papers but I think I put it in an earlier posting. Anyway I hope you had as much fun navigating that part of the route as we did in finding it and writing the route description. I think you will agree it is a lot less muddy than the route in the valley. Would be interested in any other comments you may have.

Just went to look at your maps etc Alan, and got distracted by the 'Risk Assessment'. What a palava having to write all that lot out. Anyway, I'm glad I now know what time you'll be buying the milk for the cuppa teas!

Possibility of Risk to the General Public - Low ?? Have you seen some of these dodgy characters?? :p

Yes they do look a bit rough but they all have hearts of gold and rarely complain.

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Originally Posted by Alan Greenwood

Hi Chris
You are absolutely correct it is not easy to find your way over the new section from CP4. Trying to run and navigate at the same time is also virtually impossible so against all my walking principles I have decided to waymark that section with red and white tape along with the later new section. I will do this on Wednesday 31 December and hope the farmers do not take the tape down before Saturday the 3rd. The sweep will do that on the day... I think you will agree it is a lot less muddy than the route in the valley. Would be interested in any other comments you may have.

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Hi Alan,
Had a fab time on Sunday going around this bit. I bumped into the farmer and had a long chat. He seems like a good bloke, although he thinks that anyone wanting to descend down Wham's wood must be a bit mental. Some time later I was thinking the same as I got myself stuck in a holly bush on a 1:3 gradient.
I think part of this type of event is the fun in finding the route. The flagging is your call, but please don't flagg too much.

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Originally Posted by Duff

Hi Alan,
Had a fab time on Sunday going around this bit. I bumped into the farmer and had a long chat. He seems like a good bloke, although he thinks that anyone wanting to descend down Wham's wood must be a bit mental. Some time later I was thinking the same as I got myself stuck in a holly bush on a 1:3 gradient.
I think part of this type of event is the fun in finding the route. The flagging is your call, but please don't flagg too much.

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Dont flag at all Alan - now i know it, might give me that competitive adantage (it's my only hope), but dont tell anyone!

You could pull the flags out as you go by and chuck them in the bushes.

Or plant them somewhere else. :D

What am I saying?!
I'll be behind you, and I haven't reccied...!:eek:

The event is now full so regret cannot take any further entries as we do not have the facilities to handle them.

hey up alan my mate and i were 3rd and 4th in this last year and really want to run again, any reserve places could you please give me the heads up and we would be modt grateful.

Would love to be able to offer you a place on The Hebden especially in view of your results last year but in the interest of fairness to the others I have turned away I cannot do it. Our limit is 300 but we add on 10% for no shows and this gives us the number we can handle. As you can see from the website we are over 330 already so without a mass outbreak of influenza it is pointless turning up on the day for a late entry. It is a disappointment to us as well as to you to have to do this and we will look at ways of coping with an increased entry level for next year.

Teampie
If you're desperate for a run out come to Lyme Park (you'll enjoy the challenge!)

http://www.mdocmembers.plus.com/events/lyme2009.htm

Weather forecast looks good for tomorrow and I'm looking forward to my dripping sandwiches and Stollen ;):cool::D

Do you get the Stollen if your just a cheererrrrrr onnerrrr

Just set the alarm for an ungodly hour...see y'all tomorrow.
I'm trotting round as a Fell Pony.

Old joke for DT:-
Customer: Butcher, do you keep dripping?
Butcher: Certainly, Madam.
Customer: Then I should see a doctor if I were you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tussockface

Just set the alarm for an ungodly hour...see y'all tomorrow.
I'm trotting round as a Fell Pony.

Old joke for DT:-
Customer: Butcher, do you keep dripping?
Butcher: Certainly, Madam.
Customer: Then I should see a doctor if I were you.

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See you tomorrow Tussockface; I'll be in my K&C cycling shirt. btw, your joke's awful!! :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Derby Tup

See you tomorrow Tussockface; I'll be in my K&C cycling shirt. btw, your joke's awful!! :D

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I never said it was good, I just said it was old.

Today was the 2nd time I've run this and it's rapidly becoming a firm favourite :cool: Ran round with 4 K&C friends (Brett, sunnysideup, K1M and Hamertime) and had a really great day finishing 10mins faster than last year and having a real laugh all the way round. A tough event but superbly organised and highly recommended! :)

I enjoyed it more than last year. The conditions were better - no mud! - and I found it plain tough rather than utterly exhausting. Finished in exactly 5 hours, which was 36 minutes up on 2008. Merrylegs must have posted an even more improved time though; he was a couple of minutes behind me last year but by the time I came in today he seemed to be well through his pie and peas and on to the vintage port and a fine cigar. :D

Does anyone have stats on the revised course? I'd guess there's a bit more ascent because of the climb through Lords Wood.

My own stats are:
chocolate cake x2
jelly babies x6
chunky kitkat x2
stollen (hunk of)
ribena
orange
water plus nuun tablet
1 litre Maximuscle Viper recovery drink (hidden in ivy in Cragg Vale before dawn) :eek:

How does this compare with the regimes followed by you other finely honed athletes out there?

Thanks to Allan, the organisers and helpers. As DT says, it's a great event, and little wonder it gets full by the end of November.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tussockface

I enjoyed it more than last year. The conditions were better - no mud! - and I found it plain tough rather than utterly exhausting. Finished in exactly 5 hours, which was 36 minutes up on 2008. Merrylegs must have posted an even more improved time though; he was a couple of minutes behind me last year but by the time I came in today he seemed to be well through his pie and peas and on to the vintage port and a fine cigar. :D

Does anyone have stats on the revised course? I'd guess there's a bit more ascent because of the climb through Lords Wood.

My own stats are:
chocolate cake x2
jelly babies x6
chunky kitkat x2
stollen (hunk of)
ribena
orange
water plus nuun tablet
1 litre Maximuscle Viper recovery drink (hidden in ivy in Cragg Vale before dawn) :eek:

How does this compare with the regimes followed by you other finely honed athletes out there?

Thanks to Allan, the organisers and helpers. As DT says, it's a great event, and little wonder it gets full by the end of November.

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Merrylegs did around 4.36/8ish

Garmin 305
Legs:

1 4.31m 1242A 658D

2 3.15m 919A 911D

3 2.79m 410A 951D

4 3.75m 1146A 919D

5 2.58m 1372A 788D

6 3.52m 525A 1123D

7 1.24m 82A 367D

Tot 21.34 5697A 5716D

I don't know enough to comment but I rather doubt 5700 feet of ascent! As to length: I ran with someone who did it last year and had the route in his Garmin and we only made one error missing a stile, say around 50 yards but there is a lot of covering woods so might a Garmin underestimate?

Tussockface, you're obviously off your food; hope you get your appetite back soon :D My (conservative guess but not far off) uptake while running was:

2 peanut butter Chunky Kit-Kats :cool:
2 dripping sarnies
1 potted beef sarnie
2 tuna sarnies
1 large piece Stollen
3 pieces chocolate brownie cake
8 cups dilute squash
1 large mug tea (milk no sugar)
*1 hip-flask of fine malt offered by K1M but declined *:eek:

Derby Tub

You da man. :D

Excellent catering after the event too! The apple crumble and custard was wonderful :cool:

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Originally Posted by GrahamB

I don't know enough to comment but I rather doubt 5700 feet of ascent! As to length: I ran with someone who did it last year and had the route in his Garmin and we only made one error missing a stile, say around 50 yards but there is a lot of covering woods so might a Garmin underestimate?

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Interesting, Graham.
I seem to recall someone garmining the ascent at over 5.300ft last year, so although it probably does overestimate the amount of climb, at least the error is consistent, perhaps suggesting that the way the technology works is the issue. I think your guess that the Garmin 'shortened' the course is also probably correct. My legs would argue that it was further than 21 miles, and they are most persuasive.