Hope Fell Race

[Tindersticks]

Deserving of a bump this lovely race. Anyone else going tonight?

Having a couple of days walking/camping in the peaks so gonna do this tonight and Winster tomorrow. Two new races for me, looking forward to them.

[Sam W]

Views are cracking once finally up Win Hill. Descent is pretty spectacular too. Worth the entry fee for free tea, squash & cakes last year.

If you're around on Monday evening, Hathersage Gala is a great race too. Hope you enjoy the race this evening & your stay in the peak.

[Llani Boy]

Around 200 runners for last nights Hope Wakes Fell Race, 6.25 miles 1,441 feet. Late afternoon drizzle had made much of the route slippery but the threatened heavier rain didn't materialise.

Around the sports field to string out the runners and through the village to cross Edale Road and under the Cement Works railway lines where a train, travelling at tortoise speed, was making the most awful metal on metal screeching noises. Across a few fields then up a steeply rising bridleway under Hope Brink to Wooler Knoll. Down into the forest overlooking Ladybower Resevoir and a fantastic traversing bridleway through the trees. Steeply up, firstly through trees and then through heather on a single peaty trod to the TP at Win Hill.

A very fast descent back down on footpaths, muddy gullies, slippery grass and a horrible steep tarmac stretch before back across Edale Road and then a few fields to the finish in the sports field.

Results not out but the winner broke the course record and the first lady was Phillipa Williams.

I was 61st and 1st M60 in 57mins 12 sec. I went and got my prize a picked up a nice pair of gloves from the table. When my friend had a look at them she said " nice socks". I'd picked up a pair of those horrible feeling socks with individual toes. Doh! I let her keep them.

A great short race but starting to feel tired after 6 races in 18 days. RATRun tonight before Warslow on Saturday then a weeks rest before Pen Y Fan on 9th July.

[noel]

A great short race but starting to feel tired after 6 races in 18 days. RATRun tonight before Warslow on Saturday then a weeks rest before Pen Y Fan on 9th July.

I'm not surprised! But you seem to be going well still.

Good luck at Warslow - cracking race.

[Llani Boy]

It was hot and humid on Wednesday evening for this years race over the tough 6 miles and 1,440 feet course that takes in Win Hill. Fewer runners than last year which I think was partly due to competing with the nearby Riber Fell Race which had been moved forward a day this year to avoid the clash with the England football match!

My first run for 10 days, having been resting my calf, I only had a tentative warmup and it was with fingers crossed that I set off. All was well until the descent into the woods from Hope Brink where I slipped on a tree root and banged my right calf with my left knee cap but fortunately managed to stay upright. An initial sharp pain eased off and I continued on the traverse through the woods and by the time I got to the ascent up to Win Hill I had forgotten about it and was able to pull back the few places that I had lost. On the fast descent from the summit the bloke in front of me took a hard face plant and I was surprised that he got quickly to his feet. I slowed alongside him, and expecting to see some blood, asked him if he was OK. He replied that he was and there was no blood to be seen as he was, comically, covered in orange soil dust which had stuck to his sweaty skin and clothing!

My calf held up to the finish but knew it had had a good workout. Results still not out but the race was won by Caleb Winfield of Pennine and the first lady was 16 years old Emilia Frost of Dark Peak who was running in her first fell race with seniors. She is currently lying 3rd in the U17 Junior Fell Champs. Dad Austin was rightly very proud of her. I finished 25th, 1st M60 and less than a minute slower than last year.