OMG!!!! Never again! That was HARD! Thanks so much to all organisers, but my selfish biggest thanks to Duff, who I met when I had really lost it and was ready to sit down and cry! What an angel-I thought I was optimistic but this guy is amazing. He must have coaxed and chatted away to every runner he met-unbelievable! He ran ahead to open gates for people then said "don't worry I'll close it" What a guy! I did tell him that if he wasn't so bloody nice he'd be up there with the leaders but he replied he isn't competitive and enjoys the camaraderie! More confirmation that fell runners are the best people in the world(is there a fell runner political party to vote for?)
NOW - confession time......Brett!-at the start I overheard several front runners talking about the "ginnel" that takes you directly to the school and avoids the longer downhill then uphill. Duff (aforementioned Saint who had dragged me round up to this point) didn't take it, but I did so finished in front of him!!! Now, he was clearly ahead of me, a better runner, faster etc.. So, do others take this or is it cheating? I feel terrible and a fraud as I was sat in the school and then Duff walked in! Don't disqualify me though! Duff-I will pm you! Mountainman-you fast cat!-pm you too!