Old County Tops

Weather forcast poses a few questions Waterproofs and lightening conductor for hill use and sunscreen, ice lollies and a fan for the valleys 26 deHow Windy?

Forecast for Saturday

Very little wind: direction varying; mostly 10mph or less. Small risk local gusts to 30mph in afternoon


Effect Of Wind?
Negligible - perhaps temporarily gusty near storms



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How Wet?
Risk isolated thunderstorms

A few localised torrential downpours with hail and lightning from mid-afternoon onwards



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cloud on the hills?
Very little - or none

Little if any - will form locally above 600m in thunderstorms.


Chance of cloud free Summits?
90%


Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensive sunshine, but cloud will build in afternoon. Hazy - poor visibility in rain.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How Cold? (at 750m)
13C, rising to 17C (very warm and humid in afternoon especially inland with valley temperatures 26C)
grees!!!!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dawsy

Its on the 25th of June at 6-30 clockwise. You want to do a leg? Just thought I might get Robson off Scafell a bit quicker than going down LN. Perhaps a parachute would be better? Yes you don't want to end up on dow crag like N&A they won't make that mistake again!
dawsy

---

I'll see you on Saturday but, aye, I'd be up for a leg. Later on if poss, otherwise I won't be able to keep up:)

Wouldn't it be funny if they DID make that mistake again!!!;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak

Weather forcast poses a few questions Waterproofs and lightening conductor for hill use and sunscreen, ice lollies and a fan for the valleys 26 deHow Windy?

Forecast for Saturday

---

Wouldn't be the Old County Tops if we didn't have some hail at some point!!! And since Coniston has been lovely weather the last couple of years, it's about it took its turn later on in the day!

Yippee I'm running...... at least I think it's "Yippee"!

Maybe see you in Mosedale then Alf?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Marvin

Yippee I'm running...... at least I think it's "Yippee"!

Maybe see you in Mosedale then Alf?

---

Who are you running with Andy?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Marvin

Yippee I'm running...... at least I think it's "Yippee"!

Maybe see you in Mosedale then Alf?

---

Yep I will be moseying around somewhere in that vicinity, have a goodun Andy and all the rest of the OCT runners...this time next year I will be giving it a go myself ! :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alf

Yep I will be moseying around somewhere in that vicinity, have a goodun Andy and all the rest of the OCT runners...this time next year I will be giving it a go myself ! :D

---

Watch out for a mixed team wearing DP vests, that should be us although I hear there may now be another mixed team from DP

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak

... although I hear there may now be another mixed team from DP

---

... indeed, who should be giving you a serious run for your money, Ian. Dave and I'll be thinking of you toiling somewhere near the front of the field as we pootle along somewhere to the rear. Enjoy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak

Watch out for a mixed team wearing DP vests, that should be us although I hear there may now be another mixed team from DP

---

Have a good one IDP.

Now that the Ridgeways and Johnsons are out, there must be a good chance of sneaking a win.

Can you keep up with a Fellsman record holder?!

Shame Mrs BGSec and I aren't around to keep you honest.

Both on BG duty I'm afraid.

Enjoy, especially the weather!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BGSec

Have a good one IDP.

Now that the Ridgeways and Johnsons are out, there must be a good chance of sneaking a win.

Can you keep up with a Fellsman record holder?!

Shame Mrs BGSec and I aren't around to keep you honest.

Both on BG duty I'm afraid.

Enjoy, especially the weather!

---

I hope so but I have to say I'm a tad nervous:o

The other DP mixed team includes another top woman runner, only time will tell, Theres no entry list so we don't know who else is entered???

Early start for me in the monring (im coming up to watch) il probably be near Scafell or somewhere round there

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TurboTom

Early start for me in the monring (im coming up to watch) il probably be near Scafell or somewhere round there

---

You might have difficulty seeing the runners from there! Even if you stand on the cairn!

Meant he pike just couldnt be bothered writing the full name. Urgh :P

Any news / results yet?

I was up (early!!) at the first ascent this morning and took some photos. I've uploaded them here.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/hyporu...yTopsRace2010#

Looked to be a great day for the race.

It was hot, and lots of people didn't make it round. Times were slower than usual. Not sure of results.

At the top of Newland Hause at 07:45 it was 17 degrees rising to 26 by noon. I got a run in during the 'cool' period! I would imagine the heat would make this race very tough.

What a scorcher, nearly a third of the field retired, some suffered from heat exhaustion.
ydt

Particular thanks to all of the marshals who carried water to checkpoints on the hills. I lost count of how much I had to drink - 7 or 8 litres I guess. Only one hint of cramp. It's the first time I've used Nuun tablets, and they seemed to make a big difference in those conditions.

It was my first OCT and boy what an introduction. Well done to EVERYONE who ventured out in the mid-day-sun. I knew hat it would be pointless for me to push myself too hard if I would stand any chance of getting round. In the end my partner was forced to retire (but as he was suffering with the heat and jet lag it was a major achievement for him to make it to Cockley Bridge). I trudged on and managed to make it "home" with a whole bunch of bereaved runners (having recently lost their partners). Only wish the organisers could have let me collect my tee-shirt after all that blood, sweat and tears. I will just have to stay fit for 2011. I think this is one of the best organised events I have done - a mixture of a relaxed, well oiled machine.
Cheers and a big thanks to Dave B., Billy-boy-G and Dunks.

Fantastic support and atmosphere from achille ratti and marshalls. Particular thanks to chris preston et al at wythburn and cockley beck :) and for water from people en route. Until next year....

Ok I've just about recovered, just about. I think for me it one of the hardest races I've done in those conditions, Despite trying to eat and drink non of it reached it's intended destination and all of it ended up in the heather, I haven't been that sick since my First BG attempt in 07, Not sure if it was heat exhaustion, sun stroke, lack of sleep or all the above needless to say I "ran" on empty from Cockley Beck having brought up every I'd had since Hellvelyn.

Yes Nicky was an animal driving me on but let me say she is an inspiration. She looked after me gave encouragement when it was needed and kicked ass when it was needed. She carried my rucsac pretty much all the way from Cockley Beck so we could keep together as a team.
got in in just over 9 hours in 13th and second mixed team (Beaten by Another DP mixed team) I think had I been running with any one else I would have surely packed in at CB

For the record I lost just short of 6 pounds in weight!

Spent the last 2 hours running in Stanners company, Met Alf Briefly coming off Scaffell and the Preston Princess looking fresh after her BG success.

Plenty of people needing attention after the race inc Me thanks to the Marshall both on route and at the finish, We were glad of the Shade at the end.

Congratulations for all those who finished, you should feel proud as should any who had to pack in. theres always another year.

Well done achille ratti I may well return (Nicky has told me we WILL return) so thats that descision made but please can we have some Clag and and breeze......

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Smut

It was my first OCT and boy what an introduction.

---

A baptism of fire for me too. Thanks to Marvin for the track of the route off Scafell, which we followed to the letter until dropping too far right off Rough Crag - leading to a spot of rock climbing ... was that you, Smut, we were tracking at this point? Not unlike IDP, my running partner felt the sun somewhat after Cockley Beck where we should both have taken on much more liquid. Still, we made it to the end eventually, and once the sun-burn subsides I may even look back on it fondly. Many thanks to all the marshalls etc. A fantastic event organised with great warmth and good humour.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak

...Despite trying to eat and drink non of it reached it's intended destination and all of it ended up in the heather....

......

---

You must have been bad Ian, I don't think there is heather in the OCTs route!
Well, I better add my story here: As I positively dislike hot weather, we started with a moderate pace. My companion, Ray, was looking stronger than me for the first few hours but started showing signs of weakness after Esk Hause. Soon after Cockey beck he fainted and looked in a bad way. I carried his gear and very slowly we got to the top. I tried to persuade him that we should retire but he wouldn't have it, he wanted to finish the race. With a bit of food and drink forced down, he perked up and we got to the Old Man but it was al 'down hill' after that. He was seriously exhausted and I was concerned that he might fall and injure himself. We walked/staggered most of the way back. Not the weather for such a hard race.
Sincere thanks to Arthur and the organising team and helpers.
Yiannis

Well it was definitely a day for the marshalls rather than the runners - it made a nice change for the guys to be sheltering from the sun on Scafell Pike rather than the wind and rain. A big congratulations from all at Achille Ratti to all those who finished and bad luck to those who didn't. We hope you all enjoyed the race and look forward to seeing you again next year. Please e.mail any comments (good or bad) to [email protected]. I'm particularly interested in suggestions for improvements for next year.
Thanks
Chris

Another one from me - I forgot to say results should be on Achille Ratti web site by the end of the week

Well done one and all. I'm even more jealous now because I usually manage to do quite well in the heat but my partner left me for another this year (and ended up not running anyway). Nearly took up one of the offers of partnership lat week, but decided to concentrate on Jura, bit tricky to get away this weekend anyway. Reckon OCT is my favourite race.

Tough, tough day out in the heat - we must have drunk those streams dry!

Thought it would be great to have a clear, warm day but i'll settle for clouds, rain and clag instead of the baking heat next time - whenever that may be!

Thanks to the organisers and marshals for an amazing day out! Character building stuff :)

A brutal day....I've never felt so ill during or after a run. The head was swimming for a good part of the day. I staggered into Cockley Beck and Chrispy suggested I pack it in.....no way!:) Like Yiannis's partner, I think I fainted at some point on the climb...or at least I don't remember how I got from sitting on a rock to lying down in the grass. :confused: But I actually picked up a bit once I got the breeze on the ridge, and the main thing is we completed.

I sat down at the finish, got some food and soup down me....then collapsed onto the floor and spent the next 15mins wrapped in a space blanket wondering where I was and who all these people were! Huge thanks to Chris and all the other people at the finish who looked after me, the nuun drink kicked in and all was well...time then for a pint of guinness to revive me!:cool:

WHAT A GREAT DAY!!! So pleased I was there, and so pleased I dug in and continued. Fellrunning....there's nothing to beat it!

Well done for finishing Rich, and everyone else who got round on what sounds like a testing day :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mr1470

A brutal day....I've never felt so ill during or after a run. The head was swimming for a good part of the day. I staggered into Cockley Beck and Chrispy suggested I pack it in.....no way!:) Like Yiannis's partner, I think I fainted at some point on the climb...or at least I don't remember how I got from sitting on a rock to lying down in the grass. :confused: But I actually picked up a bit once I got the breeze on the ridge, and the main thing is we completed.

I sat down at the finish, got some food and soup down me....then collapsed onto the floor and spent the next 15mins wrapped in a space blanket wondering where I was and who all these people were! Huge thanks to Chris and all the other people at the finish who looked after me, the nuun drink kicked in and all was well...time then for a pint of guinness to revive me!:cool:

WHAT A GREAT DAY!!! So pleased I was there, and so pleased I dug in and continued. Fellrunning....there's nothing to beat it!

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GreenFlash

A baptism of fire for me too. Thanks to Marvin for the track of the route off Scafell, which we followed to the letter until dropping too far right off Rough Crag - leading to a spot of rock climbing ... was that you, Smut, we were tracking at this point? Not unlike IDP, my running partner felt the sun somewhat after Cockley Beck where we should both have taken on much more liquid. Still, we made it to the end eventually, and once the sun-burn subsides I may even look back on it fondly. Many thanks to all the marshalls etc. A fantastic event organised with great warmth and good humour.

---

Sorry about the route down Rough Crag, it was Billy and myself you were trailing. I was having problems communicating with him as to the line that I wanted him to take (Marvin's!) and he was on a roll. I finally gave up the ghost down at the river where I blacked out only to wake up in the river a few seconds later. I retired at C.B. but Billy made it round with the other "bereaved" partnerless runners in a good time....shame he didn't get the t-shirt but he's certainly got the happy memories :o

Sleet next year please.....these conditions make Tanky's a meteorological pleasure!

I think it must have been an acclimatisation thing as I was well-hydrated all the way round and got through a tube of Nuun tablets. Flipping from winter mode (frost on the Fellsman) to summer in a couple of weeks is a bit too much for my well-honed physique.

Hmm..
I don't do well in heat and proved it on Saturday.
Ended up in a untidy heap on the floor at the top of Wythburn.
Thanks to my partner who patiently got me to Angle Tarn, and the marhals at AT for plying me with water and gentle abuse before walking me down to the valley (let's hear it for the Angle Tarn Massive!).
Briefly hospitalised afterwards but ok now. Not keen to repeat the experience so all talk of a BG this year cancelled, basically my head may take a while to recover I think.
Thanks to Arthur for fantastic organisation, not just this year (his last) but all the previous times too!

Blimey Col, had no idea you were hospitalised....hope you're ok. Take a week or two to think about your BG, you'll be unlucky if it's that hot on the day and everyone has a bad day now and again. You can do it.

Edit: And I agree about Wythburn- apart from that awful climb after Cockley Beck, Wythburn was where I most felt the heat. It was baking in the bog!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Duff

Hmm..
I don't do well in heat and proved it on Saturday.
Ended up in a untidy heap on the floor at the top of Wythburn.
Thanks to my partner who patiently got me to Angle Tarn, and the marhals at AT for plying me with water and gentle abuse before walking me down to the valley (let's hear it for the Angle Tarn Massive!).
Briefly hospitalised afterwards but ok now. Not keen to repeat the experience so all talk of a BG this year cancelled, basically my head may take a while to recover I think.
Thanks to Arthur for fantastic organisation, not just this year (his last) but all the previous times too!

---

Bad luck Colin, know how it feels to cancel a BG attempt, i'm a long way off at the mo, your a lot nearer than me though, like Mr 1470's says, have a couple of weeks think about it, british summers don't last that long, all the best mate ;-)

Colin, I'm with the lads on the BG. Have a week off and see how you feel. It's a shame to let months and months of hard work go. Glad you're okay anyway, that's the main thing :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Duncan

Sorry about the route down Rough Crag, it was Billy and myself you were trailing.

---

Not at all, Duncan - entirely our fault for following aimlessly ... I kept look over to the inviting grassy col to our left and thinking this doesn't seem quite right ... but followed you aimlessly regardless. Looking at another GPS track this morning though, perhaps we were too far left, not too far right :confused: ... methinks I'll recce the route off Scafell for myself before next year's race, like what we should have done in the first place.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GreenFlash

Not at all, Duncan - entirely our fault for following aimlessly ... I kept look over to the inviting grassy col to our left and thinking this doesn't seem quite right ... but followed you aimlessly regardless. Looking at another GPS track this morning though, perhaps we were too far left, not too far right :confused: ... methinks I'll recce the route off Scafell for myself before next year's race, like what we should have done in the first place.

---

I'm going for a run that way in about 3-4 weeks if you fancy the detour I'll drop down and show you the route;)

When I kept my vest on, I boiled over and slowed to a walk. Smart idea: arrange vest strategically over shoulders and keep cooler, keep running. Result- worst sunburn I've ever had in my life and I look like a red/white zebra!
When I can wear a shirt again without Ibrufen I'll look back on it as another classic race. Can't wait for next year.

Have been struggling to walk at work all day thighs and knees sore....feet are in absolute agony...blood blistered under most nails and 4 toenails falling off . They have never been so bad!!! Unable to wear shoes . . . . but managed a steady walk/recovery run yesterday with shoes a size too big.... Good eh!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GreenFlash

Not at all, Duncan - entirely our fault for following aimlessly ... I kept look over to the inviting grassy col to our left and thinking this doesn't seem quite right ... but followed you aimlessly regardless. Looking at another GPS track this morning though, perhaps we were too far left, not too far right :confused: ... methinks I'll recce the route off Scafell for myself before next year's race, like what we should have done in the first place.

---

I'll come with you :)

Some pictures I took while the OCT runners were descending Scafell Pike and I was on my way up. Well done to everyone who took part. There were some interesting route choices over Rough Crag :D


http://picasaweb.google.com/11346904...ountyTops2010#