No need to be a "pillock". If you don't like the race don't do it "simple"Originally Posted by Dave_Mole
No need to be a "pillock". If you don't like the race don't do it "simple"
I have done the Lowther Trail 13 miler a couple of times. It is a pleasant route covering terrain not normally seen otherwise - some good views, and well away from crowds. The river crossing is interesting, given that there is a bridge - out of bounds - about 50 metres away; after the river crossing is a short challenging section that I find is the only unrunnable part of the route. A decent low key event that I would normally be happy to do again - but not with the current restrictions.
Last edited by Mike T; 24-07-2020 at 11:56 AM.
A variety of options based on this used to be the Lowther half marathon, run in conjunction with Lowther horse trials. As it was called a half marathon it attracted road runners in pristine smart kit. After the first mile or so (and a steep climb out if the village) the tarmac ran out and the route followed a muddy track, often wet, often liberally covered in horse poo. Very amusing to see the reactions of some!
I used to do it in the 80s and I still run around that area quite often - if you carry on you can go to High Street and beyond. It's a nice area and a good bad weather option.
Unfortunately i don't know that venue... the furthest North i've raced XC is Wollatton in Nottingham for the Nationals and Midlands.and we've had a few tough Northern XC Champs.
I doubt you know Sherdely Park St Helens, but the Northern there (in 2004 if I remember correctly) was just off the scale.
Mud, mud, mud and back then the U20 Men had to follow the senior men so I don't envy what they had to contend with.
Think of the Alton Towers National a few years back, but worse.
Many have said that the last Northern at Witton was comparable. The ground was already a bit heavy but mid way through the programme we had a 20 minute hailstorm, which the woman raced on, melted it all and mushed up the ground big time for the senior men.
I was the RO that day so didn't run, but it certainly looked a grim one.
Witton normally recovers very quick from a XC. Within 2 weeks you struggle to see the line the runners have taken. Some of the ground was still damaged after 6 months and had to be repaired.
Probably the first Northern at Knowsley Safari Park edges it for me. 6-8" of fresh snow overnight. My daughter was an U20 Fell international, a outside chance for a medal and was first up on fresh snow - she dropped out - very rare for her.
By the time the men ran, it was 12km of pure slush.
One guy ran in wellies!
Dave Norman was taken to hospital and treated for frostbite.
It was incredible seeing the winner Steve Vernon float across it as he lapped me
The great Alton Towers race is talked about at our club in legendary tones every year the XC comes round though.
Parliament Hill is a goodun'.... and Wollatton earlier this year was probably the toughest XC course i've ran over.
We've got a course down here in the Birmingham League at Leamington Spa that for XC is quite hilly. One adverse-camber downhill about 50 metres long, even that was throwing people out... as anyone on here who's raced me will testify, i'm no crack-descender, but even that tricky downhill i could make up 10 places with ease... there were people who finish well up from me (so presumably they can run 5km in around 17mins) having to walk the main uphill...
Hopefully we get some XC this year!
http://www.tynebridgeharriers.com/20...championships/
A little taste of the 2016 Northern at Witton I was on about
Richard Taylor
"William Tell could take an apple off your head. Taylor could take out a processed pea."
Sid Waddell
That looks fairly similar to the Nationals this year... i.e most unpleasant!!http://www.tynebridgeharriers.com/20...championships/
A little taste of the 2016 Northern at Witton I was on about
More than four million people in Greater Manchester, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale, Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees will be affected by the tightening of restrictions.
What's the common denominator between these areas and Leicester?
They're full of slovenly northerners.
In effect we have a taste for the last 4 months of what communism would be like.
Telling you who you can see, when you can work, where you can work, where you can walk, run, cycle, travel, holiday...
Snitches grassing you up to the party if someone visits your house, or you go within 2 metres of someone they think you shouldn't have.
We already had a degree of it anyway. The state has already sequestrated you. They own you, your money, your labour, your assets. They allow you to keep what they feel you need, but don't be under the illusion that you own any of it. They can take 10% more of your income in tax tomorrow. They tell you when you can be treated for an ailment, where you can be treated, which school your kids go to, when they go, what they are taught....
Freedom. About the only real freedom we have is going out for a run. As long as they allow us.
Richard Taylor
"William Tell could take an apple off your head. Taylor could take out a processed pea."
Sid Waddell
Great Post and 100% true.
Government in this country have never had so much power.
And your spot on about snitches, half the population will grass you up for lowering a face mask with in 2 metres of the door.
