Old County Tops

[IanDarkpeak]

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......

[GreenFlash]

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.

[ydt]

...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

[Chips]

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

[Chips]

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

[Grouse]

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.

[Britta]

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

[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. 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!

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

[Derby Tup]

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

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. 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!

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

[Duncan]

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

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.