Swaledale Marathon

I entered on 5th Jan. Got my cheque returned a few days ago with a covering note saying I was too late. Really? Anyone else?

Hmm interesting ... suggests there's some movement anyway so I'll either get a cheque sent back or it will go from my account.

I'm in - number 246 - any hints for a first timer?? are there any navigational ruses?

It is definately worth a recce of the course. If its cloudy the landscape between whaw and gunnerside can be forbidding and it will be easy to go wrong if not familiar with the route :confused: in clear weather they're should be no problems ;) they're is a few sections were little short cuts can save you 30 secs here n there but nowt major. It is important to know the best line of descent through the myriad of stone walls above Gunnerside, stay on the main path until JUST before the first farm building is reached then head down to your right over the stile and head diagonally down to your right until picking up path that takes you into gunnerside, the right line here can save you good time ;)
Toward the bottom of the descent off fremington edge (amazing on a mtn bike ), as the path doubles back left above the quarry type workings, look for a steep descent straight down and over the gully infront of you, but beware of small crags beneath you :eek: the course is mainly on very good tracks with a small section a very minor road, so i wouldnt advise fell shoes, i find inov8 terrocs or something of that ilk r ideal
for those not in, dont despair, it is usually easy enough getting a number between now and then...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mike D-H

I'm in - number 246 - any hints for a first timer?? are there any navigational ruses?

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Hi Mike, how did you find out? Did you get an email or something through the post? Cheers Lambert

Hi,

Well I amble with Tickhill Running Club and our coach has done five Swaledales on the trot so gets prior warning for entries ..... we had to dosh up around the 15th december and get the entries in on the day they opened - around xmas time.

I didn't know this and missed out last year.:eek:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheReverand

It is definately worth a recce of the course. If its cloudy the landscape between whaw and gunnerside can be forbidding and it will be easy to go wrong if not familiar with the route :confused: in clear weather they're should be no problems ;) they're is a few sections were little short cuts can save you 30 secs here n there but nowt major. It is important to know the best line of descent through the myriad of stone walls above Gunnerside, stay on the main path until JUST before the first farm building is reached then head down to your right over the stile and head diagonally down to your right until picking up path that takes you into gunnerside, the right line here can save you good time ;)
Toward the bottom of the descent off fremington edge (amazing on a mtn bike ), as the path doubles back left above the quarry type workings, look for a steep descent straight down and over the gully infront of you, but beware of small crags beneath you :eek: the course is mainly on very good tracks with a small section a very minor road, so i wouldnt advise fell shoes, i find inov8 terrocs or something of that ilk r ideal
for those not in, dont despair, it is usually easy enough getting a number between now and then...

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Why thankee squire .... I generally get lost so thats just the ticket! .... I never trouble the scorers but thats great info, much appreciated

Thanks for the tip for the other event . I got my returned cheque today. It is obviously a popular event and oversubscribed but I don't know how its possible to get the application in any quicker other than living there --perhaps that's the key!
ian

Never did hear anything in the end and it's academic now as I've made other plans for that weekend. Don't want to diss an event on a public forum (though if you go on Tritalk no one ever has such qualms) but this is pretty poor in my book, not sure I'll rush ever to apply again.

Good luck to those who are doing it.

Lambert,
I know they weren't the best with communication but no communication at all suggests that post might have gone astray.