Only just come across this, but what a great post. Didn't do the race myself, but it's still good to read things like this amidst all the hard times.Quote:
Originally Posted by ChevinbyTorchlight
Printable View
Only just come across this, but what a great post. Didn't do the race myself, but it's still good to read things like this amidst all the hard times.Quote:
Originally Posted by ChevinbyTorchlight
Morning all
Just a plea for helpers/marshals for Buttermere Sailbeck next Saturday - if anyone can spare a few hours to help me out I would be VERY grateful! You don't necessarily have to be a checkpoint marshal, I could do with some help at the finish or with results too. Free Tea and cake provided for all helpers.
Any offers of help gratefully received, please ask around.
Looks like being a good sized field despite the Champs clash.
Thanks
Rhys
Morning all
Just a plea for helpers/marshals for Buttermere Sailbeck next Saturday - if anyone can spare a few hours to help me out I would be VERY grateful! You don't necessarily have to be a checkpoint marshal, I could do with some help at the finish or with results too. Free Tea and cake provided for all helpers.
Any offers of help gratefully received, please ask around.
Looks like being a good sized field despite the Champs clash.
Thanks
Rhys
Count me in RFR
What are the chances of this race filling up with pre entries?
150 doesn't seem a lot and am wanting to enter on the day
cheers Jamie
Rhys says it's fine to enter on day. See you there.
Great thanks!
Many thanks to all involved today. Rhys' efforts much appreciated in our house - got to be a contender for best (m) fell race.
Top marks to Registration / kit check team and to the marshals. Hope the weather felt as good for you as it did for us.
Beer in The Fish, sun came out what more is there to want.
Results already,
https://fellrace.org.uk/races/buttermeresailbeck/2015
Loved this race and already can't wait for next year. Professional, yet friendly and supportive Marshalls & organisation. Perfect weather for what I would consider a perfect medium length fell race in the mountains. The final descent was Ace!!!
Yeah it was a really really good course, it was the first time I'd done it and easily one of my favourite races so far. I'll be there next year if it's on again!
My first time, though I had recced the route. It is either unrunnably steep, or truly runnable, with often quite long sections in each category. The climb to Causey Pike certainly goes on and on - narrow paths with lots of potentially scratchy vegetation - glad I had tights/longish socks. The start has changed - now from a field just down from the NT car park rather than up the road, and on a nice level path on the opposite side of the valley to the previous route after that, until the first long climb. Perfect day for it - thanks to the RO and the marshals. My partner enjoyed walking up Rannerdale Knotts, and the ice cream at Syke's Farm Cafe.
It matters little but I have always considered it to be the "best" Medium in the FRA Calendar. If you can run well at Sailbeck then you really are a fell runner.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike T
Best AM on the calendar with more climbing than sme lakes ALs.
sad to miss it this year but logistics got in the way.
A few photographs from the race whilst marshalling on Causey. Click the images to enlarge.
felly
http://fellephant.com
Super shots - can we copy?
No problem Mike, but can you please ©fellephant if you are using them for the web. My other small request is that if folk want to use them please don't alter them. That means by also leaving the ©fellephant watermark on the shot. My shots have been misrepresented (in many different forms) before and then credited to me. Drives me mad.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike T
Glad you like the photographs Mike. Thanks for asking.
felly.
brilliant photos. thanks for sharing Felly.Quote:
Originally Posted by fellephant
Buttermere Sailbeck Fell Race
The name Buttermere derives from Old English and means - the lake by the dairy pastures. What a match made in heaven - the quintessential Lakeland village of Buttermere with its majestic lake and the brilliance of Buttermere Sailbeck Fell Race all synonymous with butter. Without butter there’d be no cake, without cake I’d have probably never become a fellrunner. The guilt free eating of copious amounts of cake is the perfect just rewards for running up hill and down dale...that and beer. All hail the fertile nature of dairy pastures.
From an early age we’re led to believe that our liking for the consumption of butter derives from the reflective glow of the buttercup flower. No doubt you’ve participated in and have fond memories of playing the buttercup game - friends or family would hold a buttercup beneath your chin and rejoice as your skin illuminated with a pale yellow glow. You’d return the favour and always the same result would be visualised and celebrated. Thus proving the innocence of childhood seeks verification by observation and experience rather than theory or pure logic. I guess there’s a scientific reason why everybody displays reflective evidence of having a fondness for butter. Evidently the light will always bounce off the distinctive glossiness of the buttercup petals, regardless of your butter tendencies - as science doesn’t discriminate. I care not for the science behind this act of buttercup illumination, for I like to remain simplistic and young at heart: ideal traits of being a fellrunner.
On the morning of the race the mere thought of Buttermere had swayed my decision to have butter on toast, it’s too early for cake. The recent hot weather had prompted a butter dish relocation from the kitchen worktop to the fridge. The switch of location was justified as the butter had started to liquify at room temperature. It’s not alone - I’d started to liquify beads of sweat whilst trying to negotiate the tricky un-spreadable nature of the now rock hard refrigerated condiment. Meanwhile, my wife laughs at my dairy product predicament and says “you should use margarine, you wouldn’t believe it’s not butter”. She continues to observe my un-spreadable struggle then goes completely off topic and tells me I have the appearance of someone who probably stinks. I’m left in shock by my wife’s derogatory comment. Alison then reneges slightly by informing me that she has a strong emotional attachment to my individual natural scent. Apparently I don’t smell untoward, I actually smell lovely...but my disheveled appearance could be construed to suggest otherwise, especially amongst strangers who by the large are often judgmental. I take this as a backhanded compliment, shrug my shoulders and enjoy my breakfast safe in the knowledge that my wife finds my pheromones irresistible. And if truth be told - I couldn’t give a monkeys what strangers think.
Pre-race and I’m parked up alongside Wharfedale Harriers runner Mark ‘Goldie’ Mcgoldrick. Now, going by my wifes earlier ‘disheveled’ observation, then Mark must surely be my polar opposite. He’s always immaculately groomed, akin to a shampoo model - granted he’s more budget range than the expensive brands. Mark’s also extremely well-presented like a well-made hotel bed - albeit more Travelodge than The Ritz. His dapper style and standards of cleanliness has me surmising that Mark smells like a new bar of soap - pleasant and mild. I go over for a chat, we talk football because we’re blokes. I’m tempted to ask Mark how much maintenance is required in achieving barnet perfection but I resist the urge as I know my persona - I’m rough around the edges so what’s the point in trying to polish a turd?.
Dispelling the myth - not all Yorkshire men are tight!
Whilst enthusing over his beloved Liverpool’s recent impressive exploits in the Champions League, Mark inadvertently locked his keys within his motor. This is obviously a huge inconvenience, especially with the race starting imminently and Mark’s running gear is housed within the vehicle. After much head scratching, where his hair remained immaculate, he decided to smash a rear side window. Financially, calling roadside assistance would’ve been a more frugal solution but Mark would’ve missed the race. He choose fellrunning before monetary status...eeh by gum!
Dispelling the stereotype - not all scousers are scallies!
Beforehand whilst trying to figure out a means of gaining access into Mark’s locked motor we both looked at each other and simultaneously said “Stuart Russell”. The Calder Valley runner is a scouser, which by comparison we’d come to the prejudgemental verdict that Stuart would be able to access a locked vehicle. He couldn’t - and rightfully so displayed a light-hearted disapproval towards our false assumption...sound!
Admittedly watching my mate repeatedly pounding away at his car window with a cumbersome sized rock was extremely exciting. A passerby commented that Mark’s technique and choice of blunt implement was hindering his progress. The passerby informed me that the surface area of Mark’s chosen rock was too large, thus causing the impact to be less overwhelming. Mr Smarty-pants passerby says a more definitive point of contact is required - a sharp sudden blow administered by a pointed tool would be more appropriate. I don’t like Mr Smarty-pants, he’s too overzealous in restraining his excitable Springer Spaniel...basically he’s the tool.
Could the race possibly compete with the excitement of the Buttermere break in? Yeah, without a doubt - as it’s arguably one of the best medium category races in the calendar, it’s smashing. Many thanks to Mike and Hazel Robinson and all helpers. Well done race winners Brennan Townshend and Sharon Taylor and a special well done to Mr Mcgoldrick for finishing 6th despite his stressful pre-race warm up.
The following day I was weeding the back garden. Childhood memories also dictate that picking dandelions can make you wet the bed. We called them: “piss-the-beds”...but therein lies some truth as dandelions can have a diuretic effect. Thankfully after my green fingered afternoon, I can categorically report that our bed remained dry - my plumbing is in fine fettle ...unlike Mark ‘Goldie’ Mcgoldrick’s passenger side rear window.
When you leave Buttermere village on the Newlands road, after about half a mile on the left there is a trod which provides an alternative to the road up to Newlands Hause, to start the climb of Knott Rigg...
Given free route choice, is it quicker/easier to follow this trod up, or to stay on the road until the top of the pass?
Looking at the map, i suspect there's barely anything in it... but wonder if any veterans of this race have an opinion?
I've done the race a few times - it's probably my favourite AM - but I don't recall anyone taking the road all the way to the top of the pass. The gradient eases off after you leave the road so leaving all of the climbing to the end so you can definitely hit the base of the climb at a good pace. In that respect, I would definitely favour the race route as I would definitely lose time on such a long climb on the road.
When I did the race the couple who took the road were behind me at the summit.
The trod to the bottom of the hill is good running. Then a climb.
The road climbs immediately from the village.
I think I heard a suggestion that in future it would start from the finish field and head out from the top of that to pick up the same trod after crossing the beck a little way up the valley. That would avoid the road (and the very steep first bit) altogether.
Thanks all...
This is the next race in the Kong Summer Series, and being ran using the Maprun App which seems quite popular at the moment. So i'll be giving it a go in about 4 weeks time.
Never done the race (hence the question), however i have covered nearly all the route on other runs/races. The only bit i'm unfamiliar with is the section off Ard Crags down to Rigg Beck cp, and then climbing Causey Pike from that side. Although it doesn't appear too navigationally complex (famous last words!)
I actually descended the Causey climb today! It's not that obvious to start with at the moment as there is waist high bracken to contend with. Once through that it's basically a trod through (now burnt out) heather making a beeline for Sleet Hause. It starts at a boulder on the path down Rigg Beck. The descent from Ard Crags is obvious - straight down the ridgeline and make for the path to the CP.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Thanks Pete... yes i've had a good scout of it on the OS map and Google Maps, and fairly happy with that section.
After a good bit of detective-work i'd set an ambitious target of 2hrs... however a look at recent results and i think 2hrs10 might be more realistic to aim for on a first attempt...
I can't remember what my best was but no doubt nearer 2.30. Don't underestimate the amount of climb - it just keeps on coming - but the final descent has to be one of the best there is. Good luck!
I envy you encountering this race for the first time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
It is a great route and the most challenging Medium. I first ran it in 1988. The climb to Ard Crags clears the head, you have a wonderful descent to CP 2 knowing you have to climb all the way back up to Causey Pike which you see to your left as you descend. After a 180 degree turn you follow the path up through the heather and then from Causey follow the undulating ridge*, with splendid views to left and right up to Crag Hill. (* The ridge line is of course very exposed in foul weather and that was presumably instrumental in Brian Belfield's death). Then after Crag Hill, ensuring you get the right line to Whiteless Pike and don't drift to the right (or left),you have a wonderful descent.
It was always my favourite race, fell running doesn't get any better and when you finish Sailbeck you know you've been fell running.
Oooh. You prompted me to check. I did 2.01 when I was 44 so a young fast track-honed man like yourself will simply bound up those climbs,sprint along the ridge and be a blur of white light on the glorious run down to the finish.:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Travs
You have a lot more faith in my ability than I do Graham...!
Knowing your cv as a runner, I'd say if you did 2:01 then I would struggle to get near that.
But on the other hand, I see that our very own Tindersticks ran sub 2hrs in the last few years...I reckon if I have a very good run, on a "climbers course", I could stay within 5mins of him...
So in conclusion, who knows!!
Certainly was today. Sit down or get blown over at times!Quote:
Originally Posted by Graham Breeze
I checked my times and I did 2.15 a few years ago so I would have thought Travs would be close to breaking 2 hours.
No pressure :DQuote:
Originally Posted by PeteS
Just wondering why the interest in this race - has it been rescheduled?
It's forming part of the Kong Summer Series... of MapRun events... register via Kong website (£2), download the App and race map, which times you through start/checkpoints/finish, and collates the results. Once registered can be ran any time between 24th August and 13th September.Quote:
Originally Posted by wharfeego
https://www.kongadventure.com/buttermere-sailbeck/
I'm potentially back in the Lakes for what would have been LDMT weekend so may have a crack at that.
That's the weekend i'm there Pete... all being well i'll be running it on the sunday morning.
I'll look out for you, Pete - obviously social distancing would prevent me running it with you. Ahem...Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
I'm going to be there from Thursday to Sunday so I'll pick a day with favourable conditions and maybe have a go. Only possible downside is I'll have the dog with me and he won't manage that at full race speed so will need to be cool enough he can be left in the campervan.
FYI Pete the Callow race is also going to be on the MapRun app sometime very soon (i don't believe you're on facebook so possibly not aware).... if you need any details of that then give me a shout...
Unfortunately i can't see me fitting Callow in as i'm already racing the next four weekends including Sailbeck...
Callow details would be good. Not sure if I can fit it in but nice to have an option.
Pete i attempted to send you a PM re Callow but seems you can't recieve PM's...
If you take a look at the Four Fans thread, that should cover most of what you need to do for the MapRun... Basically install MapRunF on your phone... when the Callow race is available you should be able to select it from the list of available routes (which are divided by geographical area).
Any questions give me a shout...