Heptonstall Fell Race

Another thankyou here for a cracking new race. Cracking route, organisation and atmosphere. The reading at the start making it quite unique too. :)
The hurtle down the tarmac just after the start was different too, bit of a shock to the legs so early on.
I had planned on taking it steady, but after taking a rubbish line over the moor to CP2 and getting frustrated at losing a few positions, i put my foot down a little. I caught the group of runners eventually, only for the rascals to take a short cut to the aformentioned dam, so another struggle to catch them and they do it again, cutting up too early at the road after the woods!! grr... So i promote myself...at least 5 places haha. :wink:

Might have been me that lead you on the rubbish line over the moor Sol - I used to favour the longer trods/PW option from CP1-2 hate tussocks and nav. I was nt racing, but I noticed a few runners followed me. I got to CP1 and collected an injured Tod Harrier (hope you're OK Dwain) then ended up doubling back on a reverse of the more direct line (ie CP2-1). It was great! I found it boggy but much clearer as a result of the majority of runners opting for this direct but potentially tricky line (no damage to the moor I must add!).
Re the short cuts, I know exactly where you mean in both cases - naughty boys! But I can see the agrument for making these cuts the official route next year if landowners are ok -either that or reduce flagging and increase CPs to give more route choice (which can make for some good fun or massive confusion!) in meantime they should really have stuck to the flagged route. We will let them off this year as the race is still in prototype format!!
The bible reading must now be our permanent race USP -maybe we should run a comp for the most relevant reading ahead of the day. Rev Pask has now joined the FRA forum so I 'm glad he was so popular (he can see all your comments!!!)
Wonder if we can get him to run next year???

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Originally Posted by sol

Another thankyou here for a cracking new race. Cracking route, organisation and atmosphere. The reading at the start making it quite unique too. :)
The hurtle down the tarmac just after the start was different too, bit of a shock to the legs so early on.
I had planned on taking it steady, but after taking a rubbish line over the moor to CP2 and getting frustrated at losing a few positions, i put my foot down a little. I caught the group of runners eventually, only for the rascals to take a short cut to the aformentioned dam, so another struggle to catch them and they do it again, cutting up too early at the road after the woods!! grr... So i promote myself...at least 5 places haha. :wink:

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Originally Posted by Trig

Might have been me that lead you on the rubbish line over the moor Sol - I used to favour the longer trods/PW option from CP1-2 hate tussocks and nav. I was nt racing, but I noticed a few runners followed me. I got to CP1 and collected an injured Tod Harrier (hope you're OK Dwain) then ended up doubling back on a reverse of the more direct line (ie CP2-1). It was great! I found it boggy but much clearer as a result of the majority of runners opting for this direct but potentially tricky line (no damage to the moor I must add!).
Re the short cuts, I know exactly where you mean in both cases - naughty boys! But I can see the agrument for making these cuts the official route next year if landowners are ok -either that or reduce flagging and increase CPs to give more route choice (which can make for some good fun or massive confusion!) in meantime they should really have stuck to the flagged route. We will let them off this year as the race is still in prototype format!!
The bible reading must now be our permanent race USP -maybe we should run a comp for the most relevant reading ahead of the day. Rev Pask has now joined the FRA forum so I 'm glad he was so popular (he can see all your comments!!!)
Wonder if we can get him to run next year???

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"Let him who hath understanding reckon the number of the beast, for it is a human number. It's number is 15.4!"

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Originally Posted by Derby Tup

we did both!

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DT - were you towards the back of the pack on Sunday, having done the FLP on the Saturday? I had a very brief chat c. 2 miles in with a male and female runner whilst passing them on an uphill section, they mentioned that they'd done the FLP the day before and were struggling slightly as a result.

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Originally Posted by wjr

DT - were you towards the back of the pack on Sunday, having done the FLP on the Saturday? I had a very brief chat c. 2 miles in with a male and female runner whilst passing them on an uphill section, they mentioned that they'd done the FLP the day before and were struggling slightly as a result.

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Toward the back as in about fifth last?! That would have been me and Stef. FLP and HFR made for a good weekends training

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Originally Posted by Derby Tup

Toward the back as in about fifth last?! That would have been me and Stef. FLP and HFR made for a good weekends training

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Ha! Nice to finally 'meet' you. My brother had entered too, and I'd agreed to stay with him and do it as a Sunday potter (hence being at the back rather than my normal heady heights position somewhere in the middle!). I can't remember the exact conversation you were having as I came past, but it prompted me to say that you'd be in trouble later for forcing her to run. Little did I know that you'd done the FLP too.

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Originally Posted by wjr

Ha! Nice to finally 'meet' you. My brother had entered too, and I'd agreed to stay with him and do it as a Sunday potter (hence being at the back rather than my normal heady heights position somewhere in the middle!). I can't remember the exact conversation you were having as I came past, but it prompted me to say that you'd be in trouble later for forcing her to run. Little did I know that you'd done the FLP too.

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It's usually Stef who makes me train, not t'other way round. We set off really steady and finished well (albeit up the wrong path :o)

Attachment 4588

Captions please!
More new photos on http://www.heptonstallfellrace.org.uk/gallery

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Originally Posted by Trig

Attachment 4588Captions please!

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"For any unbelievers amongst you I have it on good authority that the last climb will be twice as hard" :D

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Originally Posted by Alf

"For any unbelievers amongst you I have it on good authority that the last climb will be twice as hard" :D

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"Good luck and don't forget free food at finish, 40 loaves and fish, should be enough for 5000"

ITS BACK:circle your diary:18th MARCH 2012: there will be soup.....

Glad you're going this again. Cracking event last year! Not seen many posts from the vicar lately mind :closed:

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Originally Posted by Derby Tup

Glad you're going this again. Cracking event last year! Not seen many posts from the vicar lately mind :closed:

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The vicar is saving his thunder for the 2012 sermon..

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Originally Posted by Trig

The vicar is saving his thunder for the 2012 sermon..

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Did anyone see the new look flyer for 2012 at the Auld Lang Sign yesterday? What do you think?

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Originally Posted by Trig

Did anyone see the new look flyer for 2012 at the Auld Lang Sign yesterday? What do you think?

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A very handsome looking flyer Trig! In fact here it is attached – if there are any clubs thinking about doing the race on March 18th they can download and print a copy for their local meeting point / club house / pub / cafe etc ; - )

Attachment 5510

The flyer is indeed splendid :thumbup:

I assume any similarity in appearance between The Jedimaster in his avatar and Rev Howie of Heptonstall parish is purely coincidental? :closed:

That is actually a brilliant flier. However i dont like the R it doesnt work for me

Hmm… An excellent point Clash. While I am in agreement that the designer has done a fine job it seems clear that the letter 'A' – a more symmetrically pleasing member of the alphabet – should be used here in place of the inferior and downright offensive letter 'R'.

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Originally Posted by Derby Tup

The flyer is indeed splendid :thumbup:

I assume any similarity in appearance between The Jedimaster in his avatar and Rev Howie of Heptonstall parish is purely coincidental? :closed:

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I'm sure Rev Howie would be flattered but its proabably against CofE guidelines for vicars to be practising Jedi. The Hurriers however are a secular running group and welcome runners of all faiths (including followers of Tod Harriers and Calder Valley). Following the rave reviews of 2011 Rev Howie has agreed to be the official race starter for 2012.

Not sure if it has been mentioned but this is a kcac championship race

I'll print out and take some new look flyers and posters to any races I'm at between now and race day. I wonder if other people get the same "I'm wet, muddy and knackered - what race can I do next?" feeling I have as I stagger down the finishing funnel... :confused:

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Originally Posted by joeyd

I'll print out and take some new look flyers and posters to any races I'm at between now and race day. I wonder if other people get the same "I'm wet, muddy and knackered - what race can I do next?" feeling I have as I stagger down the finishing funnel... :confused:

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Excellent - think the communist propaganda look really works!

Where is your nexr race BTW???

Just to spoke to a landowner / farmer about permission. His fields are those immediately after you leave the woods about 1 mile from the start.
He was pretty upset that a competitor had sworn at him last year. (unbeliveable!) Many runners had nt stuck to the flagged route and he had pointed this out. This was a senstive section given the lambing season and sheep in field. I managed to patch things up.
We dont want to lose the support of our landowners so please be extra careful to follow the right of way in recces (and the flags on race day). Full route description is on the race web site but I have pasted the relevant section below. The important thing is stay close to the wall as you ascend the field in question. THANKS!

Heptonstall to Knoll Top

Start on the cobbled road outside the White Lion pub (GR 987 281) and head uphill for 540m to brow of hill.Turn left onto the public bridleway signposted Lumb Bank. Descend 450m first on tarmac then on unmade trackto a hairpin bend just above river. Look out for bridleway sign – Colden Clough in woods on right (GR 977 283).Turn right to follow the bridleway into the woods. After 100m fork left down hill alongside chimney. After 150mfollow the narrow path along retaining walls of mill ponds to steps (Caution: drop). Climb steps to the waymarkedjunction, turn left and climb steeply forking left at the next waymarker. Continue for 150m on path thru disusedquarry to another waymarked junction. Fork right and head uphill 50m to reach Calderdale Way at stone stile.Over the stile and thru the wooden gate into field. Follow Calderdale Way along stone flags across the field andthru the narrow gateway. Don’t follow Calderdale Way, instead head up hill following the wall on the right to thetop of the field. Go thru step stile in wall onto farm track. Turn left and after 50m (Pinfold Top) turn right thrugate and into the field. Go straight uphill, following wall along grassy track thru 2 fields to the gate at top next to

the stone cottages of Knoll Top (GR 971 288).

Attachment 5546
Hope you can print one these for your club house or favourite fell running pub

Dont miss the recce on 29th January - see the Recce thread - 20 plus already signed up
Bit of an early start but the sunrise Standing Stone Hill is worth it....
Free Soup / food at the end (WHITE LION PUB)
Anyone else thinking of joining us???

I'll have a look at the Tod forum this evening to see if anyone's signed up on there and let you know. In answer to your earlier post I'm doing the Stanbury Splash this weekend. I'd guess it's going to be pretty darned spalshy given the rain we've had recently. I've got my brother up for the weekend; it's going to be his first fell race so I'm having the dilemma of whether we go round together or just go eye-balls out at whatever speed we can each muster. Are you at the Splash this weekend?

Think I'm doing the hebden (might do both if I have the energy)
Good to hear your getting your brother out on the fells - any chance we might get him on PBW? Just lost one of our runners. Could pair with you, I could do Leg 1???

His wife is due with their second child at the beginning of Feb - might be cutting it a bit fine. I'll text my sub 3 hour marathon mate and see if he's free. He could give Grahame a run (!) for his money on a fast leg ;).

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Originally Posted by joeyd

His wife is due with their second child at the beginning of Feb - might be cutting it a bit fine. I'll text my sub 3 hour marathon mate and see if he's free. He could give Grahame a run (!) for his money on a fast leg ;).

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Get him in!

Any chance you can get some Heptonstall invites to clubs down your way? Any that go out this week can possibly join the recce

Hope to see lots of you forumites at the recce and race ;). Good 3Ps training and a good race in its own right! See you there!?!

Great recce on Sunday - 40 turned up - including Joey D, Splatcher, Southern Softie, Scott Baistow.Wonder if we should get another in before March 18th?

Good news; Sports Sunday are confimed as official race photograhers....where do you reckon the best bits of course would be for capturing the action??

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Originally Posted by Trig

Good news; Sports Sunday are confimed as official race photograhers....where do you reckon the best bits of course would be for capturing the action??

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It probably doesn't matter what you tell them: they always head for the steepest uphill bits so they can get you looking at your worst :w00t:

Perhaps we should emply Jedi Master to get some action shots from a runners-eye view
For those who missed yesterday's recce pictures; http://flic.kr/s/aHsjyoeX12

Think we need a thread starter for most embarassing/unflattering race picture (I think i know mine already)

Good news - more free soup - join us for the next big recce on Sunday March 4th
All welcome - 9am start - see recce thread for more details....

Hooray! Another opportunity to reduce myself to tears on the final climb up the steps at Hardcastle Crags! :thumbup: Good final Hobble prep too.

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Originally Posted by joeyd

Hooray! Another opportunity to reduce myself to tears on the final climb up the steps at Hardcastle Crags! :thumbup: Good final Hobble prep too.

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Am I living backwards, or is the Hobble the week before?

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Originally Posted by MarkL

Am I living backwards, or is the Hobble the week before?

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I think the Hobble is the week before the Hep race (but the week after the recce.)

So much running and so little time....

Really looking forward to the 18th. Anyone noticed which clubs feature Heptonstall in their champs/grand prixs??? I've seen quite a few....

We'll have to run faster to fit everything in :thumbup:.

Pretty sure Holmfirth has Heptonstall as a champ race