Ultra_Tales_Issue_4_v2

EVENT REPORTHARDMOORS 60course would make for an interesting race!There was also still a battle to be fought in theGrand Slam (those who have ran all the Hardmoorsraces this year—30, 55, 110 and 60 milers). DaveKamis was currently leading, with Henry Morris,Andy Norman and Roy McDougall still in the hunt…It ain’t over ’till it’s over and 60 miles is a long way.After race briefing we gathered in the car park at08:30. Jon counted us down to start and remindedus to turn left not right! The start is a few hundredyards on road before you hit the forestry tracksleading up to the first check point at Highcliff Nab.Me, Shelli Gordon, Neil Ridsdale and Steve Walkerwere heading up the field, chewing the fat andlooking forward to a good days running.When we hit the forest almost immediately a groupwho ran past us seemed to miss the turn off, aswhen I looked around I was on my own climbing thefootpath! I was glad to have reccied this section theprevious week, otherwise I would’ve felt a bitworried. This footpath through Guisborough Forestis pretty steep (no Douche Grade here) so it washands–on–knees hiking until you hit the ClevelandWay. I was surprised to be first at the checkpoint. Aquick stamp by the marshal then you double backon yourself down the forestry road, passing most ofthe other competitors coming the other way andshouting encouragement.From Guisborough woods it’s a fairly long downhillwith some gentle inclines until you reachSlapewath. I was running comfortably and didn’twant to do too much damage to the quads early on,so kept things easy, light, smooth and… er, fast?Not really, but we were nearly into Saltburn beforewe knew it. I stopped to see a man about a dog justbefore the viaduct in Saltburn, and was passed bytwo runners (Stewart Walker I think).There wasn’t much in it when we hit the Saltburncheckpoint. Had a quick chat with Pat Mullins whowas helping at the Spa Hotel, grabbed a few gelsfrom my drop bag and headed down the steps tostart our journey on the coastal path.This is a lovely stretch of the coast with plenty ofclimbing, great views and some steady running. Iwas currently sitting in third place, and had plannedto run smart on this section (up to Ravenscar really)to save something in the legs for the last 20 miles.Just after Skinningrove heading up to Boulby I waspassed by a couple of guys (Ian Symington and JimMann) who were both running strong. Heading intoRunswick Bay I was joined by Martin Beale whoslowly pulled ahead as we passed through thecheckpoint, up the Stairway to Heaven fromRunswick beach and onwards to Sandsend.I arrived in Sandsend (27 miles) in 5th place after 4hours of running. Nearly half way through and stillfeeling comfortable, this is really where the racestarts with a fair ol’ slog up to Ravenscar!"Nearly half way throughand still feelingcomfortable, this is reallywhere the race starts witha fair ol’ slog up toRavenscar!"This was a long lonely stretch, just focusing onstaying relaxed, comfortable and keeping on top ofhydration and gels. The singletrack running on thissection is great fun as you dip in and out of ravines,and sometimes right on the edge of the cliffs withthe spoil heaps making it look like a moonscape.At Robin Hoods Bay I popped into a pub to fill upmy water bottle (the sun was keeping things niceand warm) and had a little chat with an Americantourist walking the Cleveland Way :)On the climb up to Ravenscar I was joined by Casperwho was moving well. We had a brief chat on thehike to the top then he was off, not hanging aroundat the checkpoint. Neil Ridsdale was sat in theRavenscar village hall with his foot on a chair andice on his ankle after rolling it in Guisborough forest(and running on it for another 30 miles!). It was ashame to see Neil out. He hasn’t had a great yeardue to injury but I’m sure he’ll be back next year45 ULTRA TALES | JANUARY 2013Sponsored by thehttp://