I enjoyed it more than last year. The conditions were better - no mud! - and I found it plain tough rather than utterly exhausting. Finished in exactly 5 hours, which was 36 minutes up on 2008. Merrylegs must have posted an even more improved time though; he was a couple of minutes behind me last year but by the time I came in today he seemed to be well through his pie and peas and on to the vintage port and a fine cigar.

Does anyone have stats on the revised course? I'd guess there's a bit more ascent because of the climb through Lords Wood.

My own stats are:
chocolate cake x2
jelly babies x6
chunky kitkat x2
stollen (hunk of)
ribena
orange
water plus nuun tablet
1 litre Maximuscle Viper recovery drink (hidden in ivy in Cragg Vale before dawn)

How does this compare with the regimes followed by you other finely honed athletes out there?

Thanks to Allan, the organisers and helpers. As DT says, it's a great event, and little wonder it gets full by the end of November.