Long Mynd Valleys

[AlanB]

Tid - you're in for a treat.
May God be with u !
Just don't go off too fast - the last sections are the hardest as Beasty says.

Hi All

My first post having just joined the forum - been meaning to for a while since joining the FRA a few months ago.

I'm not in a running club but i've done a couple of AS races so far this year (Lambs Longer Leg and Lads Leap) and planning to do two AM grade races in the hope that i can qualify for the Snowdon race when entries open next month.

The LMV this weekend will be my first M length race and although i've covered the mileage in training i'm slightly concerned about the very steep descents and phrases like "exquisite torture" and "evil bastard" in relation to the race!

Although i live only 1.5hrs drive away i've never actually been to the LMV area before and haven't had chance to do a recce - i obviously have map and compass, but my nav skills are a bit rusty - will there be enough runners out for me to tag onto a group going at my pace so that i'm not stopping to check my map every few minutes??

I know the race has been going for 30 years and it sounds like a a challenging and enjoyable day out - any advice gratefully received and i look forward to seeing people there on Sunday morning.

cheers
Tid

[mattyh]

Well done to everyone that got round today. Horrendous conditions. Got to be one of the hardest middle-distance fell races in the country. Thanks to Mercia and all the marshalls.

Off to bed now.

[Tid]

Now i understand the phrases "exquistite torture" and "evil bastard" in relation to the LMVs race !!

I knew i shouldn't have been tempted by the saturday night curry and ale before doing this one and when i woke up this morning with a chest infection and badly bruised toe from the previous days training run i was feeling a little bit anxious on my way to the race this morning. When the marshall at the start explained there'd been a case of hypothermia the day before and that this race was for "the big boys and girls" it really didn't help to calm my nerves.

It was a hard but very satisfying race to finish and the mud slide descents were particularly enjoyable - can we do it again next weekend ?!

[Skelton]

My second LMV. Brilliant race on some brutal ascents. Thoroughly enjoyed it! Big thanks to everyone involved in organising and running this!

[jtinnion]

Really tough conditions for this yesterday, both underfoot and weather wise... mud, slick grass, sleet, snow and cold. I was soaked despite my cag fairly quickly and a bit cold for most of the race. Times were generally 6-10 mins down on two years ago (last year doesn't count as there was lying snow!) Great race though, massive thanks to all involved, especially those who stood out for long periods in the wet and cold so we could run. Pauline's put a note up on the Mercia site with the results: http://www.merciafellrunners.org.uk/node/2273

Nice to see everyone. Next stop for me is Torpantau...

[FarFromTheFells]

What a day ! Was on the verge of being cold the whole way around but managed to keep just on the right side long enough to finish the race. I instantly changed into dry clothes at the end but I was still shivering an hour later in the pub...!

I really felt for the marshalls stuck out stationary in those awful conditions - so many thanks to you guys. I also stopped to offer a bandage to a guy who'd badly cut his knee after CP3, and am glad to see he made it back safely to the finish (DNF'd) - I didn't envy him the walk out, but he said he was OK, had food/waterproofs, etc.

In spite of all that I still managed to knock 1 whole minute off my previous fastest time

Thanks again too all involved in organising this brilliant race, and well done to all that turned out.

[Athers]

I thought the weather just added to the awesomeness of the race. Properly sorted the men from the boys.

I'm pleased with my 2hr 09min if the times were slower this year and especially as a virgin to the race. Can't wait to do it again. Although i would say that the conditions although bad didn't really slow me down.

What a classic event and MUCH respect to organisers / marshalls and photographers. You allow us to run on the hills like mad cases.

£13 for the full weekend racing. Whats not to like. Love it.

[Wirksworth Tortoise]

Long Mynd - Harder than Ben Nevis - Official

I'd only done one Shropshire race previously - Cardington Cracker - took a quick look at the fixtures book and absentmindedly noted that Long Mynd had much less ascent - clearly getting them the wrong way round. As I was struggling round Long Mynd (having had my error pointed out to me beforehand) it occurred to me that if the race had about 4,000 feet of ascent that would be equivalent to Ben Nevis. I checked when I got back - on paper at least - Ben Nevis is easier!

I very pleased just to have managed to complete this one.

WT

[jtinnion]

Long Mynd - Harder than Ben Nevis - Official

As I was struggling round Long Mynd it occurred to me that if the race had about 4,000 feet of ascent that would be equivalent to Ben Nevis. I checked when I got back - on paper at least - Ben Nevis is easier!

I very pleased just to have managed to complete this one.

WT

I think a lot of us were pleased to have got round... Not sure about harder than the Ben race though, there's not a 4,200' descent in the Valleys, but then the Ben race doesn't have a steep 650' climb a mile from home. Incidentally I know of quite a few Midlanders who use the Valleys route or something similar to get/keep fit for Scottish hillwalking.

Jim :-)

[Ed Goldsmith]

Has anyone got the new Long Mynd Valleys route cracked yet?
What is the route from Windy Batch to Nills (CP 6 to 7)? Yearlet to the finish? Answers on a postcard...