Grizedale Horseshoe Race

[GreenFlash]

GR for hole in the wall.....(it ain't a hole just 3 stone steps set into the wall) is roughly
NY 371 160. I seem to recall a CP at gate-ish/side of the barn NY370 149 then its straight down and cross the river at NY369 150.

So far as I can gather, everyone's gone camping already, but in case anyone's still reading, I've been emailed an Achille Ratti flier for the 2010 race which includes a new (?) CP between the Elmhow Plantation barn and the style you mention - the bridge at 362143 - if correct, this'll add about a mile of relatively flat running either side of Grisedale Beck before the climb to the style ...

The 7 CPs mentioned are: 1. Catstye Cam summit; 2. Grisedale Tarn (eastern end); 3. St Sunday Crag summit; 4. Barn (370149); 5. Bridge (362143); 6. Wall stile (373160); 7. Finish (village hall). Hoping they're right. See some of you tomorrow.

[Alf]

So far as I can gather, everyone's gone camping already, but in case anyone's still reading, I've been emailed an Achille Ratti flier for the 2010 race which includes a new (?) CP between the Elmhow Plantation barn and the style you mention - the bridge at 362143 - if correct, this'll add about a mile of relatively flat running either side of Grisedale Beck before the climb to the style ...

The 7 CPs mentioned are: 1. Catstye Cam summit; 2. Grisedale Tarn (eastern end); 3. St Sunday Crag summit; 4. Barn (370149); 5. Bridge (362143); 6. Wall stile (373160); 7. Finish (village hall). Hoping they're right. See some of you tomorrow.

This was the same route a couple of years ago when I did it. Apparently there was some dispute with a farmer/landowner as I recall so instead of going straight across from the barn you had to head SW up the side of Grisedale Beck and cross over. The beck was running pretty full that year and so I went over the bridge but some people went for the beck crossing a bit lower down but there was not much in it. There was no checkpoint there at the bridge though that year?

[Clive]

It's looking good for an awesome day. Nice blue sky over Birk fell and Place fell.
In fact one of those mornings I wish I'd have seen the sun rise whilst on top of Helvellyn.
Still, we'll be there later!

[Clive]

Many thanks to the organiser and marshalls for volunteering your free time today, much appreciated.
You ordered perfect weather as well - think this was the first time I've ever run a Lakes event without helly, today just shorts and a running vest.......or perhaps I'm just a big girls blouse!
I had my usual torrid race, slowly blowing up as the race progressed, but do you know what, the views made it all worthwhile, I just love the view from the top end of Grisedale, it's stunning. Maybe July and August off due to twisted ankle didn't help...excuses excuses blah blah blah. 25 minutes up on last year, but why o why do I always go backwards up the last climb, boo hoo!
Bring on Helvellyn Tri tomorrow I say, c'monnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
Thanks again, and well done to all, hope you enjoyed the awesome views as much as I did?

[djnisbet]

That was one tough race. I found it far harder than 2009 although I don't know why.

The marshalls were all great and very supportive. I feel sorry for them having to hang around for back-markers like me.

I forgot to note down the email address for the results. Can anyone remind me what it is?

Thanks

[Manhar]

Well that was certainly the toughest race I've done this year. Many thanks to Achille ratti for putting on the race. Was feeling light headed early doors for some reason so had to scoff a Mars bar going up to Helvellyn & but as Clive (good luck with the tri today) has said awesome views on the tops & perfect running conditions.
Fantastic performance by Nourh - hope the knees aren't creaking too badly today. Healthy turnout of old skool forumites too.

[hopey]

That was one tough race. I found it far harder than 2009 although I don't know why.

The marshalls were all great and very supportive. I feel sorry for them having to hang around for back-markers like me.

I forgot to note down the email address for the results. Can anyone remind me what it is?

Thanks

There was the added mile this year due to not being able to cross the stream?
Was shown a great little shortcut on the last climb, I must try and remember that for next year.

Thanks to all from Achillie Rati and Lostock AC (time keeping), a great race and see you next year!

[Clive]

....excuse my ignorance, but who was the awesome Derek Price that this race is named after?

[Daleside]

my legs are just starting to feel human again - I must be out of practice on those kind of downhills, soft, grassy, long and steep - there are at least three of them like that in this race - I'm writing this so I can remember next year! It was a brilliant day on sat - everyone was so friendly - I met loads of new people - I hope to know the route a bit more next year and not have to keep relying on the kindness of others checking I was still with them! The second half of this race - from grisedale tarn back to the start I reckon is worth a recce - or a run over with someone who knows - Hope the triathletes enjoyed their race the next day too. A great leg loosener the following day!

perhaps the triathletes can answer - which was the better day out sat or sunday!! I've seen the photos of the triathlon and apart from it looking very hard - it kind of looks fun!

[Clive]

my legs are just starting to feel human again - I must be out of practice on those kind of downhills, soft, grassy, long and steep - there are at least three of them like that in this race - I'm writing this so I can remember next year! It was a brilliant day on sat - everyone was so friendly - I met loads of new people - I hope to know the route a bit more next year and not have to keep relying on the kindness of others checking I was still with them! The second half of this race - from grisedale tarn back to the start I reckon is worth a recce - or a run over with someone who knows - Hope the triathletes enjoyed their race the next day too. A great leg loosener the following day!

perhaps the triathletes can answer - which was the better day out sat or sunday!! I've seen the photos of the triathlon and apart from it looking very hard - it kind of looks fun!

Heh heh, Daleside, agreed, I'm still having problems walking and don't even talk about walking downstairs!
Agree with you, such an awesome race, I guess we're lucky the Ben is the same day, as such a nice (quiet) Lakes Classic, without the crowds, previously mentioned.
I like the thought of reccie also as there appeared to be many route choices after the tarn. Mind you even down to the tarn, some took a right off the track too early. I learned that lesson last year in the clag when a few of us found ourselves going towards the road d'oh!
The better of the two days, very difficult for me as I just love the whole weekend. The different race types, competitor types and different types of camraderie and racing. I really love both days, not sure if that's allowed?
My legs felt pretty shot the tri day, but I think that's purely due to having July and August off after twisting ankle, so no mad descents really since Ennerdale. Boy my legs are telling me about it now!
Helvellyn Tri is a great event, with plenty of fell runners, there were other Tod harriers, Clayton lot and Ben Abdelnoor (Ambleside), who was 6th (awesome!). I'm sure there were plenty of others, apols if I missed you.
Would deffo reccommend it to any fell runner. Doesn't really matter about the swim (unless you're Ben) as it's only about 10-20 mins difference, so have a good bike and run and near enough to everyone else.
Although I do prefer the smaller tri's, Old Man, Wensleydale, Ben Nevis, there's something about Helvellyn, and maybe the weekend, that will always make this a fixture for me, fitness permitting.
So c'mon fell runners, lets have more of you staying for the next day, in 2011!