Full Tour of Pendle

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Originally Posted by Martyn P

BTW, has anyone got any tips for the best line down Geronimo? I followed the line right to the trod that takes you diametrically down the slope (to the right), it was as slippy as hell and quite rocky. I seem to remember a better line from last year.

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I guess you mean diagonally?!

I remember a half tour one year (probably just before it changed route to become the Stan Bradshaw) where they flagged you across the ridge line a bit further before dropping you down the slope. It actually turned out to be a better line as it avoided all the exposed rocks on the traditional eroded geronimo descent and, despite being steeper, was actually easier underfoot.

I think the trick to finding this line is to follow the trod from the ladder stile then, when the ground starts to drop away, just stay high and keep contouring right for another 100m or so before dropping off the ridge. You will begin to see the bottom of the clough before very long and will be able to aim for the wall/stream junction that is CP4/11.

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Originally Posted by AndyA

I guess you mean diagonally?!

I remember a half tour one year (probably just before it changed route to become the Stan Bradshaw) where they flagged you across the ridge line a bit further before dropping you down the slope. It actually turned out to be a better line as it avoided all the exposed rocks on the traditional eroded geronimo descent and, despite being steeper, was actually easier underfoot.

I think the trick to finding this line is to follow the trod from the ladder stile then, when the ground starts to drop away, just stay high and keep contouring right for another 100m or so before dropping off the ridge. You will begin to see the bottom of the clough before very long and will be able to aim for the wall/stream junction that is CP4/11.

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Diametrically? You're right Andy, I meant diagonally :) Please excuse me - I was well into my "rehydration" routine last night and what's left of my brain cells obviously were not functioning properly! That sounds right, I will definitely be avoiding the defined path - as you say, it's very eroded and rocky. Pretty slippy and muddy leading up to CP4/11 too!

Talking of CP4/11, I noticed that C-le-M have set a memorial stone for Bill Smith into the wall just to the left of the stile, everyone who comes down that short descent to CP11 will run past it. There were flowers beneath it yesterday. Apologies if this is common knowledge, this was my first run round the course since the race last year.

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Originally Posted by ba-ba

This is getting complicated. Plan so far:

1.) get rid of cold (almost gone)
2.) turn up early to park
3.) follow a local!

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...4.) run fast...

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Originally Posted by Outdoors_Junkie

I have a spare number for full tour. You just need to provide your details so it can all be official with the race organiser. I can't run as I'm off to Kendal for the mountain festival :-) Message me if you or someone you know wants this.

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Hi OJ
think we've chatted on FB. is the event full?

any way I'll contact RO with the details.
Ian

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Originally Posted by Outdoors_Junkie

I have a spare number for full tour. You just need to provide your details so it can all be official with the race organiser. I can't run as I'm off to Kendal for the mountain festival :-) Message me if you or someone you know wants this.

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NOW TAKEN. Thanks

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Originally Posted by Martyn P

Talking of CP4/11, I noticed that C-le-M have set a memorial stone for Bill Smith into the wall just to the left of the stile, everyone who comes down that short descent to CP11 will run past it. There were flowers beneath it yesterday. Apologies if this is common knowledge, this was my first run round the course since the race last year.

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Yes, the stone was put in place only a couple of Sundays ago by the Clayton Harriers. About 60 folks turned out to pay a few moments to Bill. I believe the RO is making runners who didn't turn up on Sunday to stop at the stone and have their few quiet moments, whilst the rest of us race past and catch up a few places..... Hee hee hee.
As usual, looking forward to full clag.

Any one know if Up and running or Pete Blands will be in attendance

back of FRA handbook / calendar suggest PB will be there

Pete bland are usually there at the car park.

Forecast is wet and cold; standard ftop weather!

Good luck to all runners!!

1, Carl Bell
2, P&B runner (sorry)
3, Andy Brown
4, Sam Watson

5,6 & 7 Poss missed last check point

Scoffer Top 10

Witton Park still running at time of post (15.34) :p

Witton Park at home, just finished cup of tea and a peanut butter toast - cheeky sod. 4:00:51 and very pleased as I wasn't sure I'd make it.

Thanks for your support at CP5 MC, that Gel and Water and the words of encouragement kept me going :w00t:

Thanks to Keiran and the team. Great race.

Great race again this year, we were lucky with the weather again, initially when I drove to Barley it looked like the clag would be much in evidence, as it turned out there wasn't that much really and plenty of sunshine! Very muddy underfoot and Martyn P and I did synchronised bum slides worthy of Olympic bob sleigh down Geronimo:o
The last climb was as big and nasty as I remembered:w00t:

Great race, perfect cool and clear conditions. Big end is by far the worst climb I've had the misfortune of slogging up, but lovely fast running from there down to the finish.

Happy with my placing, especially with such a large (and fast) field.

Thanks again to Kieran for organising the race. It felt like I ran harder this year but ended up with the same time. The big end was as hard as ever!!

Well I finished. I don't think I can claim more than that. Much slower than last year due to recurring bloody cramp. Still, there's always next year, and this year's tshirt is rather natty.

That was great! Thank you to Kieran and all the marshalls and village hall helpers, lovely t shirt, brilliant day.

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Originally Posted by Witton Park

Witton Park at home, just finished cup of tea and a peanut butter toast - cheeky sod. 4:00:51 and very pleased as I wasn't sure I'd make it.

Thanks for your support at CP5 MC, that Gel and Water and the words of encouragement kept me going :w00t:

Thanks to Keiran and the team. Great race.

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I feel bad now, I waited at CP5 for some time and got worried you'd dropped out, so I handed your gel and water to Gary to have (he looked like death to be fair) and I came looking for you at the finish ;)

I'll be the re next year, promise :w00t:

2nd place was Ian Nixon from P&B
Nice day for it today, really suffered from #5 onwards, lost a bit of stamina from the summer? Thanks to all the organising team and marshals and thanks for the generous prizes, Should make my next pair of Xtalons less of a hit!

Oh, and which one is geronimo? One of the descents to 4 or 7 I#m guessing...

Thanks to the organiser, marshalls, encouragers and everyone else who made it an enjoyable day - even if I still lost a dozen places on almost every descent. Somehow got a better time than last year, so doubly happy!:thumbup:

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Originally Posted by AndyA

Forecast is wet and cold.

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Wrong! As usual.

Great day out. As usual. FToP certainly packs a lot into a small area. A classic.

Cheers Kieran and CleM.

Great Race as always. Even better picking Grouses pocket coming down to the last checkpoint and getting some ear ache off him.

Thanks to Keiron and his helpers for a great value fell race tha tsorts the men out from the boys

Sneaky bugger.

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Originally Posted by Grouse

Sneaky bugger.

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Good running pal

One of the best races out there for mud, sweat, cramp and tears. As Stanners says it soon sorts you out. Good to see Grouse, Peateater, Stanners, Wheezing D and Lost Lad amongst others.

thanks to Keiron and his team. weather was near perfect again. I'd hate to do this race in really bad weather.

well done to Carl and Nicky on winning their races.

well I am dead chuffed, finished in 3.32 knocking 32 minutes off last years time!!
managed a PB in every race this year. 1 year older and getting faster. can it continue?
Many thaks to Kieran and the army of marshalls. also it was so much easier not having to battle with the tags. must get my entry in for next year

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Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak

One of the best races out there for mud, sweat, cramp and tears. As Stanners says it soon sorts you out. Good to see Grouse, Peateater, Stanners, Wheezing D and Lost Lad amongst others.

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think we met Ian, were you parked behind my blue Picasso in a black seat ?

Grand day out with only a few patches of the Pendle clag, well pleased with 21 minutes faster than last year, hoping for a sub 3 next time. :D

Was spurred on at the end by the sudden appearance of a teammate just before checkpoint 11, cheers Daz

Dan

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Originally Posted by dantodman

think we met Ian, were you parked behind my blue Picasso in a black seat ?

Grand day out with only a few patches of the Pendle clag, well pleased with 21 minutes faster than last year, hoping for a sub 3 next time. :D

Was spurred on at the end by the sudden appearance of a teammate just before checkpoint 11, cheers Daz

Dan

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Yes that was me with two ladies :)

Great race in perfect conditions. Thanks to all those involved for making it such a good day out. New Mudclaws worked a treat particularly on Geronimo.

At the start Peter, one of the Ellen Bros, told me it was harder than Borrowdale - I think he's right!

Thanks to Kieran and all the marshals, another grand day out. Stanners - I'll have me rear view mirrors fitted for next time.

And me supercharger.

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well I am dead chuffed, finished in 3.32 knocking 32 minutes off last years time!!
managed a PB in every race this year. 1 year older and getting faster. can it continue?

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It can if you keep working at it I was 65 years young this year and my time in 2010 was 4:38 and yesterday I slipped in at 3:44 by the time I am 70 I will be doing a sub 3:00 cos I am getting the hang of it now

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Originally Posted by Big Compass

It can if you keep working at it I was 65 years young this year and my time in 2010 was 4:38 and yesterday I slipped in at 3:44 by the time I am 70 I will be doing a sub 3:00 cos I am getting the hang of it now

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Great effort Big Compass, you are flying.

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Originally Posted by slats

Great race in perfect conditions. Thanks to all those involved for making it such a good day out. New Mudclaws worked a treat particularly on Geronimo.

At the start Peter, one of the Ellen Bros, told me it was harder than Borrowdale - I think he's right!

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Not sure about that! Think I'd rather wobble up the big end for the last climb over Dalehead anyday!

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Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak

Yes that was me with two ladies :)

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Nice to meet you Ian, we tried keeping up with Nicky but she was too quick up the climbs.

Big thanks to Stanners for dragging me round the recce 2 weeks ago when my feet were sore and my legs dead, definitely helped for the real thing.

Dan

Some photos here from yesterday's Tour.


Huge thanks to Keiran and everyone who helped yesterday, a great day out (started as soon as I crossed the finish line :wink:)

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Originally Posted by dantodman

Nice to meet you Ian, we tried keeping up with Nicky but she was too quick up the climbs.

Big thanks to Stanners for dragging me round the recce 2 weeks ago when my feet were sore and my legs dead, definitely helped for the real thing.

Dan

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well done all, now see yourself after the big climb up Mearly Clough
www.sportsunday.co.uk
you all look fresh as daisies.....

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Originally Posted by martin

The big end was as hard as ever!!

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Too much information!:o

Thanks to Kieran and the marshals, registration, and refreshment teams; my 5th (and fastest) tour 3.14 and the first race in 16 months in which I have managed to improve on my previous year's time (which I used to do without exception until I twisted my ankle in July 2011); good to see lots of old friends and famiiar faces. (including bare-backed Andy A on our off piste adventure, Alfa Scud hit by back-ache, and Dan-todman scorching past)
I'm now off to do Florence Marathon on Sunday (8th year running and always the week after Pendle) where my finishing time is always within a minute of my Tour time.

This was a great race. I have suggested on the Ilkley Harriers' website that the course is a bit like a roller coaster - Six big ups and downs .... very enjoyable .... but it leaves you feeling a bit wobbly and sick by the end.
Thanks very much to the organisers and all the helpers on the course. The friendly relaxed atmosphere was great. I assume there will be some results coming out at some point. Thanks again - Hope to be back next year.