Goyt Valley Striders

Author: petefoth

  • So Long And Thanks For All The Fish

    So Long And Thanks For All The Fish

    by Matt Biglin

    Wincle Fete cropped up in conversation, late one Friday night last year. Specifically, it was the Wincle Fete sausage catching competition, which seemed pretty exciting. We were 2 bottles in by then but hey!

    Sausages launched, sausages caught. Knock-out progression. To be clear, it’s only for dogs, not for humans.

    Also, from the story there was even a whiff of jury nobbling, so possibly, a Mafiosi or Singapore syndicate connection. (Note from GVS fictional legal team: there is absolutely no evidence for this)

    Also, in the evening there was a band, in a tent, and a late bar. A bit of research later and we had a bed and breakfast all booked.

    Oh, yes. Also when we looked it up there is the Trout Run, which sounded fun. And you get a trout.

    I found out later, just about everyone in the club has done this run before (not everyone and his dog, obviously, because they were doing the Sausage Catching)

    A competitor in the main event

    Lets just hope the dog competitions weren’t during the run; clashing with the main Schnauzer on Schnitzel event. They wouldnt do that, surely.

    I saw Roy Whittle before the start, but apart from Ita, I think that was it for GVS representation. This year’s run started near the trout farm (!!). It was straight up the road, up some fields, then up and immediately down a knobbly hill, the runners looking like some wheezy conga as the 300 squeezed through the first stile into the woods 10 minutes in. I believe the middle part of the course remains the same each year, though the start rotates from different farmers’ fields (checks website for statistics). It’s about 7k long with 900ft of climbing.

    • The author leads the way
    • Are you sure it goes this way?
    • Ropes? Not me, I’m a plane…

    The GVS contingent

    Zigzag down from the woods to the river; deep enough to make it advisory to hang onto the rope on crossing. The route soon dropped into the tight rock chasm where I felt the air temp drop for a minute or so as I passed through.

    Back up the hill and at the top it was somewhere around Hanging Rock, about a mile from the village finish, that I realised that I had acquired a small rock down the end of my shoe. Presumably picked up in the river. I tried to shift it around, but where the path went downhill it just jammed the rock painfully into my big toe feeling like a jabbing pin. I’ve heard it said, sort out your shoe quickly, or it’ll just cause you problems later, which is wise advice but no-one wants to stop in a race if they can help it. I’d just about decided to stop and deal with it when I heard crowds applauding and shouts through some trees. I decided to tough it out to the end and managed a sort of brisk hobbly hop.

    The route spilled out into the road along the finishing bridge, where I could see the fete arena and the ring where apparently athletic dogs were taking turns to jump in the air for some kind of pork based projectile, in the finals of the competition.

    Hitting the finish, grateful for the opportunity I finally sat down, shoe off and emptied the half brick from my shoe.

    The trouts were collected afterwards from a stall, vacuum packed. I baked mine and it was delicious.

    Links

  • A View From The Back: Whaley Waltz Recce, and Hope Wakes Fell Race

    A View From The Back: Whaley Waltz Recce, and Hope Wakes Fell Race

    by Pete Fotheringham

    Running has taken a bit of a back seat over the last month or so, due to the move to Whaley Bridge. Writing about running, or anything else, has been even further back. But now we’re in the new house, most of the boxes have been unpacked, and I’ve run out of excuses.

    Tuesday night’s social run was the traditional pre-race recce of the Whaley Waltz route, so that marshals and participants have some idea of where they will be going on Saturday. With everyone running in a single group, the faster runners have lots of opportunities for looping back, and for planning the optimum line, while those nearer the back have plenty of opportunities to watch and wonder.

    I’ve never done the Waltz, and I seem to have missed out on the recce in previous years, so it was all new to me. Well, except for the bit through the park to Macc Road, and across the fields past the Bowen’s residence to Taxal Church of course, which often features in club runs in one direction or the other. I don’t often do the stretch up the fields to Taxal Moor Road, because it’s much more fun going down, but I appreciated the discussion about whether their correct name is ‘Rectory Fields’ (because the house at the bottom is the old Rectory) or ‘Bastard Fields’ (for a reason which completly escapes me). After that there’s the slog up past Terry’s Tree to Taxal Edge, then along the edge and down and up through the woods to Windgather, and that’s the hard bit done.

    A refreshing way to end a Tuesday run

    After that, the rest of the run is joyful, fast downhill, finishing with the river crossing in the park – optional on the recce, but obligatory in the race. I decided to keep my powder – and my shoes and shorts, and several other people’s car keys – dry for the race on Saturday. The route is just over 6 miles, lots of the uphill is quite runnable, and the downhill is fantastic. There are still a few places available for Saturday’s race if you haven’t got your entry in yet. Or if you’re feeling lazy, then Lucas can always use a few more marshals. Full details on the GVS website. Thanks to Mary for organising the recce.

    See that lump between the posts? That’s where we’re going!

    Wednesday was the Hope Wakes Fell Race, which is in this year’s GVS Summer Fell Series for which I want to do at least the five races necessary to qualify, so that meant a second night running of 6-plus miles and quite a bit of up. How hard could that be? 🙂 Wednesday was a beautiful day in Whaley, but the drive to Hope was into cloudier and chillier weather. Lots of people and cars milling around at Hope Sports Club, and I arrived to see the end of one of the junior races. There was a good turnout of Striders – surely not only because the race is a counter for the Summer Fell Series 🙂

    Not many people running up Hope Brink

    The race route skirts clockwise around Win Hill to the Ladybower side, before heading straight up to the summit and steeply down back to Hope. The ‘skirting’ involves a rising traverse of Hope Brink, which may well be runnable, though from my customary position in the field I didn’t see anybody doing anything other than walking. After reaching the ridge, there’s some downhill – quite muddy and rocky, so no flying down here for the likes of me. Then the route undulates as it parallels the banks of Ladybower reservoir. More mud but fewer rocks, so it doesn’t hurt when you trip and narrowly avoid a full face plant. Then it’s a seemingly very long ascent – directly up, out of the woods, to the summit of Win Hill. It gets steeper as you get nearer the top, and the last few feet involve hands as well as feet. Sadly the views from the top weren’t very impressive as the summit was very definitely in the cloud.

    • A smiley, friendly marshal
    • Stunning views…
    • …mostly

    Finally, nothing but downhill. Steep enough that you have to concentrate, but not so steep that you can’t enjoy the effects of gravity. Nearer the bottom, the group of runners in front of me, who I thought had left me way behind, came into view and I was able to close the gap as we descended the fields and the road under the railway, back towards the finish. Sadly, it levelled out before I could actually pass anyone, but the runner just in front of me was close enough as we got towards the sports club that I thought I might catch him, so I tried to find what passes for my sprint finish. Unfortunately it wasn’t quite enough and he finished a little way in front of me, but at least I was suitably knackered and out of breath when I crossed the line.

    Several Striders had stayed behind to see me finish and cheer me over the line , and there was plenty of flapjack and squash left at the refreshment tent, so the evening ended on a high note. To cap it all, as I drove home over Rushup Edge, there was a fantastic sunset. It would have made a lovely picture, but I was driving, and the battery on my camera had run out, so you’ll have to take my word for it.

    So, this week I learned that if I run 10k / 6 miles, with over 1,000 feet of ascent, on two consecutive days, on the third day I will be quite tired, it will hurt when I try to move, and I definitely won’t feel like joining Helen and friends on a 10 mile walk around Gradbach and the Roaches. On the plus side, I will have the opportunity to sit in the sun, and catch up on my writing.

    Now I’m looking forward to the Whaley Waltz, and the rest of the Whaley Bridge Carnival on Saturday tomorrow. I hope I’ll see you there.

    Facts, Figure and Links

    Whaley Waltz Recce

    • Distance: 10.14 km / 6.3 miles
    • Elevation gain: 323m / 1,060 ft
    • Relive
    • Route

    Hope Wakes Fell Race

  • A View From The Back: Herod Farm

    A View From The Back: Herod Farm

    by Pete Fotheringham

    Herod Farm is the first race in this year’s GVS Summer Fell series. No-one I’ve spoken to seems to like the race, and just about everyone refers to it as “Horrid Farm”. This is probably because, whereas most shortish fell races go up a hill, along a bit then down the hill again, Herod Farm does that twice. Up the same hill. So I’m not exactly bursting with the thrill of anticipation as I make my way to registration at the Reliance Garage on Turnlee Road in Glossop, on a pleasant Wednesday evening. It’s lucky the weather is warm and dry, as Race HQ is in the open air, and there isn’t a pub within sensible walking distance.

    I think the start is somewhere around here

    I bump into a few Striders, though I thought there would be a few more: maybe the others are saving themselves for the races that only go up a hill once.

    I’m quite relaxed because I’ve been pretty organised (for me). Not only have I completed the registration form in advance, and brought my own safety pins for my race number, I’ve also done a recce. Actually, I’ve done two, but the first one was a minor disaster involving getting a bit lost and a bit cold, and beating a hasty retreat back to the car. The second was OK though – a pleasant morning walk with Helen, taken at a relaxed pace, in very pleasant weather – and I’m quite happy that I know what’s coming and where I’m going. I even have a plan!

    I’ve mentioned before that I have a running mantra which goes: “You’re doing this to enjoy yourself, no need to rush, it’s not a race!”. This works quite well for me, even when it actually is a race. I’m not that interested in racing, I know I’m not going to win, and there’s no-one I’m desperate to beat, so I can focus on running purely for the joy of it. So my plan, for pretty much every run I do is:

    1. Remember you’re here to enjoy yourself
    2. Don’t go off too fast
    3. Run when you can, if it doesn’t hurt too much
    4. Walk when you need to
    5. Walk even when you don’t need to, if you know there are some tough bits coming

    This doesn’t mean I don’t push myself: there’s a lot of enjoyment to be had from getting out of my comfort zone, and from pushing myself and running hard when I can. And there’s enjoyment from the improvement that happens when I do push myself.

    One view from the back…

    Anyway, point 5 pretty much covers the first part of the route, the track up to Herod Farm, and point 4 takes me me up to the crest of the hill – the end of the first trip up Whiteley Nab. Then it’s a fun lollop across the moor towards Monks Road, before turning at Herod Edge Farm – Thank you marshal! – where the serious downhill to Simmondley begins. (Lollop is a good word: there are a number of different definitions: please choose whichever definition best suits the mental picture you may or may not have in your head just now.)

    …and another

    The good thing – one of the good things – about being at or near the back of a race, is that the field is quite spread out – actually I’m not sure I can see any other runners at all just now – and you can go at whatever pace takes your fancy without having to dodge or show consideration for other runners. So now I can fly (slight exaggeration perhaps) downhill through heather and across fields until I reach the path before the houses at Simmondley – Hello and thank you another marshal!

    More lolloping, some crossing of muddy streams, past Whiteley Nab Farm, and then I’m outside the Pennine Care Home, where some serious point 5 kicks in again, up a track past some posh-looking houses. When I reach the field, there’s a very long bit of point 4: real runners might be able to run the first bit, but I’d pay good money to see anyone actually run the last couple of hundred yards to the top of the Nab. Even walking, I’ve pushed myself quite hard by the time I get to the top, so a quick sip of water, some incoherent words to a marshal, and it’s back to pleasant running around the top of the Nab, before the lovely long downhill across fields and – carefully this time, let’s not have a fall here – through heather, down to the track and let gravity take me to the finish.

    I’ve finished, and it wasn’t actually that horrid, but mostly because there was lots of points 4 and 5, so the race as a whole for me was a mixture of a fairly pleasant run, and a good, stiff walk. Which is OK, but I’d prefer something where I can actually run a bit more and walk a bit less. Something like the Rainow 5 maybe, which happens to be in a couple of weeks 🙂

    • These llamas are not at Herod Farm, they’re somewhere else entirely…
    • …but I didn’t take enough pictures at Herod Farm

    Thirteen Striders made the long trip to Glossop, with James Rees first GVS gent, in 28:43, and Linette Ruston first GVS lady in 38:48. Thanks to Glossopdale Harriers for organising the race. See you next year.

    Facts, figures and links

  • A View From The Back: Whitehall Wiggle

    A View From The Back: Whitehall Wiggle

    by Pete Fotheringham

    Sometimes being wrong is OK – misreading a map, ignorance, and not doing a recce can sometimes be blessings in disguise. But more of that later…

    The Whitehall Wiggle is my first real race in this year’s club championship: Lyme Parkrun and the Pavilion Gardens 5k are timed runs rather than races (and being a road event, the latter has no place in any civilised club championship 🙂 At least it’s the only one I have to do this year). It’s the first time this year that my running mantra – “You’re doing this to enjoy yourself, no need to rush, it’s not a race!” – doesn’t quite work. Still, it’s only a mantra – I don’t think there’s any legal requirement for running mantras to be strictly correct, so we’ll let it go.

    An athlete prepares…

    There’s a good turnout of Striders, and fifty-odd other runners, milling about in the centre, pinning on numbers, chatting about race tactics and split times, and eyeing up the impressive display of cakes waiting to be consumed after the race. As the clock nears 11:00, we head away from the cakes, outside for the start. The race starts at the back of the Whitehall Centre, runs along Old Road for a while until it heads off-road for an anti-clockwise lap of Ladder Hill, taking in the track of Long Lane and a bit more of Old Road, then a lovely long down hill into Combs village, before heading back up to the finish at Whitehall (and the cakes).

    Not long till the cakes…

    Soon after the start, I’m in my customary position, getting on first name terms with the tail runner – hello Nigel – and plodding along happily. There’s a friendly Strider face in sight though, and Melanie Watts and I swap places a few times, with me slightly faster on the downhills, but Mel faster on the flat and the uphills. The running is grand on the tour of Ladder Hill, with not too much walking on the uphills. And the downhill into Combs is great, except for the big dark cloud on the horizon (a metaphorical one, the actual weather is lovely).

    A view from the back, of Ladder Hill

    As most Striders will know, looking across to Combs and Chapel from Ladder Hill, the view is dominated by the sight of Combs Edge, looming intimidatingly from Castle Naze all the way round to somewhere above the Whitehall Centre. I didn’t do a recce for the Wiggle, because I know the area quite well, from running, and from staying with friends who lived just down the road from Whitehall when we moved up from London many years ago. I did spend some time studying the route map though, working out where the race went as it lapped Ladder Hill, and noting the long descent into Combs. I didn’t look too closely at the rest of the route – obviously it’s going to be uphill, because we’ve got to get back to Whitehall, but I don’t want to know the details. I’ll probably be walking, and with luck the marshals won’t have given up and gone home by the time I get there. Mostly though, I didn’t want to think about it because – for no good reason that I can think of looking back on it – I’ve convinced myself that the route must go up onto Combs Edge, and that does look like a horribly long climb, and I hope all the cake won’t have gone by the time I finish.

    So as I’m flying (poetic licence) down the road into Combs, I’m trying – and failing – to stop myself looking over at the Alpine Himalayan-scale climb to Combs Edge, thinking (and swearing to myself) about how hard and unpleasant it’s going to be, wondering how long it’s going to take to get all the way up there, and whether there will be any cakes left if I do.

    I’m not looking forward to going up there… Luckily, I don’t have to

    Imagine my surprise and delight when a friendly marshal (is there any other kind?) smilingly directs me up a track that leads away from Combs Edge, and climbs at a pleasantly runnable – even for me – gradient, through a couple of farms to a flattish stretch, and possibly even some downhill, before the final steep – not runnable – pull up the hill back to the centre. It’s a long enough uphill for Mel to overtake me again, and build a lead too big for me to pull back on the last short downhill to the finish (and the cakes), but nowhere near as tough as the climb to Combs Edge would have been. Sometimes being wrong is OK…

    The cakes were worth the effort too, especially that flapjack which contained just enough oats to hold the huge amounts of syrup and sugar into a vaguely solid cuboid: my best sugar buzz of the year so far!

    There were some great performances by the participating Striders, with Nathan Porter in 11th place, beating Aidan Grant in 12th by just 2 seconds. That would have been fun to watch, but I was a little too far back to have a good view. Special mentions for Rebecca Sullivan – 1st Lady Of A Certain Age – and Mike Hudson – 1st Gent Significantly Older Than The Ladies Of A Certain Age. I hope they both enjoyed the bottles of wine they won (although as Mike had to leave before prize giving and Helen Parry offered to take Mike’s bottle for him, he may not have seen it). Due to an oversight, there was again no prize for 1st Gent With A Coronary Stent And A Couple Of Screws In His Leg, so I went away happy, but empty-handed (apart from another piece of that flapjack).

    Thanks to the Thomas Theyer Foundation and the Whitehall Centre for putting on a great race. Thanks too to all the volunteers and marshals who made the event run so smoothly. And special thanks to whoever made that flapjack. Whether or not the race is in next year’s championship (I’m sure it will be), I’d recommend everyone to turn up. If you don’t fancy running, I’m sure they’d welcome some help marshalling. Or just turn up to support and cheer the runners on. Did I mention that the cakes are very good? See you there next year.

    Facts, figures and links
    – Distance: 10.75km / 6.72 mile
    – Elevation gain: 433m / 1,429 ft
    – The route
    – On Relive
    – Race results
    – The Thomas Theyer Foundation

  • The Four Inns 2019 – Team 5

    By Chris Tetley

    Late in 2018 an idea was formed to have a run for 40 miles or so, to celebrate Sarah’s 40th Birthday. And so the idea became a reality.

    The Four Inns is a 40 mile race organised by Derbyshire Scouts and has been running each year since 1957. The route starts at Holmbridge and takes in the high moors of the Dark Peak, passing Black Hill, Crowden, Bleaklow, Kinder, Edale, Rushup, Chapel, Stakeside and Buxton.

    So who were Team 5? Chris Bowen was the team leader, with myself, Shaun Hall and Matt Walker; our team name was the Extra Stooges. In Sarah Fanthorpe-Smith’s team were Roy Whittle, James Hobson and Neilio Colquhoun; team name was Mrs P and the Stooges. Arriving at the start venue on the Friday evening we were soon erecting our tents in the field next to the church hall. As it was fairly mild, we decided that camping might be the best option. We thought it would be quieter than on the floor of the hall. Once our tents were up we booked ourselves in and collected our tally cards for the next day. As we had opted for an early start we were allocated our breakfast time slot which was at 4:15am. At this point were were beginning to question the merits of the early start, but it was OK – an early night and good night’s sleep and we would be fine. So, tent up and what to do next? Oh yes, pub! There was a quite nice one over the road which brews its own beer. We were really good and only had one drink so we could get to bed in good time and so have an early start.

    Soon after getting into bed we sort of realised that the night might not go according to plan … “ding dong” ! At this point the penny dropped as to why there might be only a few tents outside. The church hall was next to the church, which had a clock tower. Yes, every 15 minutes it chimed, and no, it didnt stop at 12, or any other hour, it chimed every 15 mins all night long. Fantastic! I can do a 40 mile race with no sleep – honest!

    Early morning breakfast approx 4:30am

    At 4am my alarm goes off, time to get up. Well I was awake already! So, get dressed and into the hall for breakfast. People were by now beginning to get ready and the breakfast room was busy. Suitably nourished, it was off to the kit checking tables at 5am. There was a big sigh of relief that the man was happy with our kit, then off to pull our tents down. Once all packed away it was back into the hall to wait for the start, which for us was 6:04am. Sarah and her team (No. 4) set off two minutes before us, but as agreed we soon caught each other up and as it was just about daylight, timing was perfect to make the most of the light.

    Out of Holmbridge is a longish slog up a fairly steep hill, so it was worth saving our energy at this point. However, it soon flattened out and we began to make good progress. The weather was fine but quite cold as we climbed, but higher up to we noticed the clag was beginning to get thicker. Once we had handed in our tally at the Isle of Skye checkpoint it was off once again, this time along the Pennine Way up to Black Hill Trig. The route so far was fairly easy going as much of it was paved with the usual slabs. These continued along the Pennine way past Black Hill but we weren’t going that way, instead a glance to the left revealed the boggy path we were going to take. The path from here is, shall we say, at best, intermittent! We were dodging the worst of the boggy sections as we passed over Tooleyshaw Moss. I think we spent nearly as much time going sideways as forwards. After a while things began to improve and the path became more defined and progress improved. From Tooleyshaw Moor we dropped down and then up White Low. The path here is very wet and crosses over some small groughs. It was while crossing these that Shaun won the prize for sinking into the deepest bog, basically up to the top of his thigh. However only one leg bizarrely: he soon managed to extricate himself and, luckily, didn’t lose a shoe. Apparently it was a close thing! So after a bit of amusement we pressed on heading towards the second checkpoint at Hey Edge. There is an unused trig pillar here but not much else. We handed in our tally cards and headed off again. At this point Sarah and her team, as expected, had got a minute or two ahead of us – no surprises though as they are all faster runners than we are.

    Team 5 Beginning the descent down to Crowden

    As we descended steeply down towards Crowden, we were greeted by the friendly face of Pete Ambrose. He was supposed to be a member of Sarah’s team but sadly had to pull out due to injury. It’s really nice to see friendly faces along the route and it’s always nice to have the support of fellow club members on these events. Soon the third checkpoint at Crowden was reached. Here was an opportunity to fill our water bottles and take in some of the food that was on offer. After a short while we were under way again. The weather by now was beginning to warm up nicely and the sun was coming out. The next section is along the valley bottom, then across the road and on to Torside Dam. Over the dam and up to the fourth checkpoint. Here it was a case of hand in our tallies and have a slice of Jam Roly-Poly to give us a burst of energy to get us up the long climb up to Bleaklow. This is a hard climb, rocky in places, but as we have now re-joined the Pennine Way the path is well defined. We did make a slight error veering off slightly, but soon corrected this though and we weren’t making life easy for ourselves. Onwards and upwards, the path soon begins to level out, but as it’s along an edge with a fairly steep drop to the left I was taking things easy. Chris, Matt and Shaun were making better time along here but soon I caught up. We then had a choice of routes: either go over the moors of Bleaklow, or go off to the left and follow the Pennine Way. A team passed us and went over the top. We decided to follow the Pennine Way, the logic being that the path would be easier going than the boggy and rougher terrain over the top of Bleaklow. As we passed Bleaklow Head we began to follow a grough on the way down. This became easier going and we started to run faster on this stretch as we approach the Doctor’s Gate Path turn off. Appearing on the right was the team who passed us earlier on, so they hadn’t gained much by going the shorter route. At the end of Doctor’s Gate, we reached checkpoint number five. Here there was more food and water to replace what’s needed. Meat and veggie hot dogs available but for some reason I decided not to have one which was probably a mistake. Pete had joined us again and informed us that Sarah’s team was by now about 40 minutes ahead of us. We knew they were going to gain more ground over us. Next was a short section of road down to the Snake Inn and the sixth checkpoint.

    On leaving the Snake we headed over the road and begin the climb up Kinder. When we did a reccy, we realised there was an easier way up: determined to find it we kept climbing and missed it again. So, best get on hands and knees again and drag ourselves up to the top by the Seal Stones. Once up there we saw the better path again below, too late now! The weather was now beginning to get quite warm, even on the top of Kinder, in fact probably too warm for yours truly who was still well wrapped from the cold morning. I think around this time I was beginning to get way too warm, but continued on and over the short crossing before descending steeply into Grindsbrook Clough. Passing the Nags Head, Edale checkpoint seven was soon upon us, so tally card handed in, and water and food obtained – a cheese butty for me. After a bit of a pause, we were off again towards Barber Booth and the next ascent, that of Chapel Gate Path. By now, here in Edale, it was really hot and I was beginning to suffer. Chris, Shaun and Matt were doing better than me in the heat. At the top of Chapel Gate I had to adjust my layers as I was beginning to overheat and this was making my progress very slow. Yes I was going through a bad patch. It happens, but you know when you are part of a team you will not get left behind. Pete was with us again at the end of Chapel Gate as was Shaun’s family. After a few hellos we were soon heading down towards Chapel again. Helen Parry was waiting for us on the track here along the way.

    Heading Downhill towards Chapel-en-le Frith

    As we ran down the road, Nathan & Charlotte passed us in the car, though they caught us walking a bit as they drove past. Not long and we were entering the township of Chapel. After a quick hello from Lesley and Mike Hudson, we were soon at the eighth checkpoint in Chapel. Tally handed in and food eaten, a cup of tea for me, and a longer pause while Shaun said hello to his family. Sarah’s team were by now just over an hour ahead of us. The organisers put the times on boards as each team passes through. Off again along the track to Combs. It was now a gorgeous afternoon and people were sat outside the Beehive pub – I remember thinking how a pint would go down well at that point, but we had a few more miles still to do. The climb up to the White Hall centre was no easy feat this far into the challenge. Passing a few others we made it to the centre which is the penultimate checkpoint. Here the rice pudding went down a treat. It was busy with people coming in and out. Having got here, we were beginning to feel that perhaps we were now nearer to the end of the challenge, but we had one more punishing climb to do. After descending down to Errwood, we had Stakeside next – a long drag when you have already done 30-plus hilly miles. Slow, but once at the top a bit of a trot on to the final checkpoint at the Cat ‘n’ Fiddle. Final tally handed in, and it was seemingly a quicker in and out, as we headed down to Derbyshire Bridge before the final and much shorter hill over the top towards Burbage. Final visit from Helen and Pete, complete with cow bells, as we descended Macclesfield Old Road. From the lights at Burbage, it was up Green Lane to the community school, and we were finished.

    Always good to see a friendly face…with cowbells!

    At the end we were greeted by Sarah with cake and prosecco, not sure my stomach was happy about that, but it was really nice to see some of the members of Team 4 again. Total time for us was 13 hrs and 11 minutes. My original plan was just about 12 something or other. We were a bit outside that but were not necessarily in a rush to break any records. I had my bad patch but picked up towards the end and Shaun too had to keep stopping due to chafing issues – I’m not saying where! It’s now a few days after, would I do it again? Probably, but I might do it differently by picking better lines over the moors and better nutrition along the way. Team 5 finished 27th .Sarah’s Team were 22nd (out of 79 finishers) – Job done!

  • Running Away – Rainow

    By Pete Fotheringham

    It’s the second Tuesday of the month, around 7pm, the clocks have gone forward, so it must be time for an away run. Twenty-odd Striders are hanging around in the car park of the Robin Hood in Rainow, wondering whether to put on that extra layer, because there is a bit of a nip in that wind.

    Yoga Paul might have something to say about this

    On the dot of 7:15, we set off. A bit of downhill to start with, through the village, and down the fields to the brook below Kerridge Hill. The haul uphill to the ridge was steep enough to walk wth a clear conscience, unless you are going to be challenging for the club championships, in which case it was an opportunity for hill sprints. The ridge itself was very runnable, up to the trig point for the obligatory nearly-yoga photo, then some lovely downhill back to the Macc road at Kerridge End.

    Are we there yet Mum?

    The next 3k of fairly gentle uphill on minor roads, tracks and paths across fields, afforded some great views of a fantastic sunset, which was much more impressive that it looks in the pictures. At the high point near Windyway House, the light was beginning to go, and views of lights going on in Macc, over the Cheshire Plain, and north to Manchester and beyond.

    The sunset was more impressive than this…
    … but you had to be there!

    Headtorches on, as we dropped down over fields, across the Cat and Fiddle road, and into the valley of the young River Dane. Another walk uphill in the dark, an impromptu extra lap of a field for the championship contenders, and back onto the Macc road and a final gentle jog to the pub. All twenty or so starters made it back, which is good for the club’s mortality statistics, and most made it into the bar for beverages – alcoholic and otherwise – and cheesy, salty snacks.

    The spectators were impressed!

    All in all, a grand run: not a lot of road, not a lot of walking, some great, fast fields, and plenty of gates and stiles for catching up, getting your breath back, chatting about the wind and the views. Thanks Sal for organising and leading. If you’ve not tried a GVS away run, look out for the next one, probably on Tuesday May 14th, at a venue to be decided. Or if you fancy leading an away way run, please contact Sal. See you there!

    Facts, figures and links
    Distance: 8.75km / 5.44 mile
    Elevation gain: 363m / 1,191 ft
    Route: https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/3197003/GVS-Away-Run-Rainow-20190409
    On Relive: https://www.relive.cc/view/g32805759269

  • The English Championships

    By Chris Bowen

    Yesterday, I ran the Stretton Hills race which was the first race in this year’s English Championship. That’s not why I ran it. Dave was planning to race, we had a day out receeing it a couple of weeks ago and as there were still places left last week, I thought I may as well do it. 

    On the final climb – I’m not sure if I’m actually making progress!

    The English Championship is organised by the FRA every year. There are six races to choose from: two short, two medium and two long. Your best four count but you have to do one of each length. The first 20 runners in each 5-year age category gain points for the championship table (the first 10 in the categories with fewer runners). You have to run as your first claim club and you have to be a member of the FRA or affiliated to English Athletics. There are also team championships so there is an opportunity to gain points for your club as well as for yourself.

    While I was waiting for the race to start, watching the blizzard going on outside, members of Pennine were talking about how many team counters they had for the various age categories. They only had three ladies there and although I am a member of Pennine I couldn’t count as I was entered as Goyt Valley. In fact, I had to register as Goyt Valley as it’s my first claim club (of course!) Someone asked me if I would get points for the Goyt Valley ladies team. Since I was the only GVS member there I pointed out that we didn’t have any teams at all! That made me wonder why we don’t have GVS members entering these races. Is it because they are thought to be too difficult? Or is it because people don’t know about them?

    I must admit they do tend to be hard races with navigation skills needed. They are definitely not for novice fellrunners. You can’t gamble on following someone else if the clag is down and the route will not normally be flagged. They are definitely real old-fashioned fell races usually with route choices. Stretton Hills was a short race, just less than 10k but there was 630m of climbing and some of the ascent was like the climbs on Horrid Farm but longer!

    So how did I get on? Well I wasn’t last and I found all the checkpoints but that is about all you can say. The field is of a very high standard, of course, with the best fell runners in the country at all ages taking part. At Stretton Hills there were six FV60’s and four FV65. Often in local fell races, I’m the only old lady there. This time I was 9th out of the 10! I was up against the likes of Wendy Dodds, Ann-Marie Jones, Pat Goodall etc. I was pleased not to come in 10th place to be honest. The weather was interesting with strong wind and some sleety showers just to add to the atmosphere. By about half way through, the steep climbs and descents had really spread the runners out and I lost sight of the runner in front of me and had to find my own way back to the finish. Good job I’d recee’d it as getting out a map and compass would have made me even slower. As in all fell races though everyone was very friendly, the marshals were encouraging even though they must have been freezing cold and fed-up of waiting for the tailenders like me. And as with many fell races there was lovely soup, tea and cake at the finish.

    Over the last couple of years, I’ve done one or two English Champs races as they are always in Pennine’s Championship. Dave tends to do them and I’ve sometimes entered if I thought I could get round without being cut-off. Since I turned 60, I’ve scored points in the FV60 championship just by turning up, as there are relatively few FV60 and FV65 ladies. Last year I finished in 10th place in the FV60 championship and I only did one race which was the Edale Skyline.

    The races this year are Stretton Hills(S), Howgills(L), Great Lakes(L), Blackfell(M), Grisdale Pike(M) and Ilam(S). Getting an entry has been problematic in the past but this year they have a different system. The best runners in each category have guaranteed entry if they want it, then anyone can enter over about a week when entries open. Places are then allocated by random ballot. This seems to have worked for Stretton Hills as everyone who wanted a place got one and there were a just few places spare.

    So, if you enjoy hard races and can find your way reasonably well across unmarked rough ground, it is worth considering entering the English Championship. Perhaps something for our more competitive (in both senses of the word) runners to consider for the future.

  • Goyt Valley Striders’ Championship

    Goyt Valley Striders’ Championship

    by Chris Bowen

    I took over as Fixtures Secretary in the Autumn of 2018, initially on a temporary basis. Thanks go to Alex Elsworth for his hard work in this role for several years. At the AGM on 2nd February, 2019, I was formally elected to the role.

    2018 Main Championship

    Alex chose an interesting selection of races for the 2018 Championship. As had become the norm in recent years, there were six road races, six trail races and six fell races. For each of these different terrains there were two short (less than 10k), two medium (10-20k), and two long (over 20k) races*. To complete the championship you have to do one race of each terrain and one of each distance, so in theory you could do one short fell, one medium trail and one long road. This would earn you a qualifying set of races and a T-shirt. Your points from the best 8 races count so, to have a chance of winning a prize, you really need to do at least 8 races.

    We had an excellent start to 2018 with 20 people taking part in Hit the Trail. Over the year, 45 people did at least one race, with 14 doing a qualifying set of races. Surprisingly though, only 9 people did 8 races, which is a bit of a drop from recent years. This applied particularly to the ladies!

    The Kinder Downfall race was popular as usual, as were the race around Tittesworth Reservoir, the Poynton 10k, and Lantern Pike. The Alderley Edge By-Pass was surprisingly enjoyable, in spite of the 26 degree heat at 8am and the lack of any breeze! Those who went to do the half marathon at Coed Y Brenin had great time on the one day of the summer when it rained – it was a relief! – as did the intrepid four who did the long and difficult Holme Moss fell race. The Roaches is always a challenge and had another select group of Striders braving the river crossing and the climb up and down Shutlingsloe.

    Lucas and James H battled it out for the Overall Men’s Championship, with Wayne in 3rd place. Nathan joined the club during the year and had some very good results, as did Col and James R in the races they did. Lucas and Wayne were top in the Men’s V40.

    The Men’s V50 turned into a bit of a battle between Mark W and Matt. Poor Mark was ill for the final race, meaning that Matt pipped him to the post to earn 1st place. Chris T was 3rd.

    The Overall Ladies’ Championship came down to just Christine, Tracy and myself. In fact, the final positions came down to the last descent on the last race, which was the Shittern Santa Saunter. Christine skipped past me as we headed back down to Glossop, and there was no way that I could catch her! However, I had already won the Ladies’ V50 Championship so I wasn’t too upset.

    2018 Summer Fell Championship

    The Summer Fell Championship consists of 9 races which take place on mid-week evenings in the Summer. Your best 5 races count, and there are no age categories.

    18 people did at least one race but, conveniently, it came down to the three people who did the required 5 races in both the Men’s and the Ladies’ Championship. Congratulations to James H, Wayne and Connor and to Megan, Anna and Julia.

    2019 Main Championship

    Last Autumn the Committee decided to do an analysis of previous 4 years’ Championships, to see which types of races were popular and would be likely to appeal to members, and encourage lots of people to take part this year. We noticed that the road races tended to be less popular, and that fell races were more popular, especially local ones. We also asked members for suggestions, and these ideas were taken into account when selecting the final choice of races.

    We have reduced the number of road races to 4. We kept to 6 trail races, and increased the number of fell races to 8 – still making 18 races in all. You still have to do one of each terrain, and one of each length to get a qualifying set of races. Your best 8 scores will count as usual. As before, the person in first place gets 60 points, the person in second 59 points and so on.

    We decided to start this year’s Championship by reinstating the idea of including a Park Run. We chose Lyme Park and, knowing that some may be cancelled, or the route changed in bad weather, we said that your best time on any full course Lyme Park Park Run in January or February – including New Year’s Day – would gain you championship points. So far 43 people taken part! James R and Nathan currently have the best times with Amelia well ahead in the ladies.

    Apart from the Park Runs, the first race was The Three Halls of Stockport, which we classified as a trail race but actually involved a lot of road. It was a different type of event ,as you had to navigate to three Stockport landmarks, and this produced its own challenge for some people! Aidan won the event itself, as well as gaining himself 60 points in our championship, with Jane gaining 60 points in the Ladies’ Championship.

    The next race is the Carsington Water Half Marathon which you can do on either the Saturday or Sunday, but unfortunately this race is already full. We tried to avoid races that fill up quickly, but this is becoming increasingly difficult. We will try to notify the club when race entries open and when we think places might fill up. However, there are lots of others to choose from during the year: some are more challenging; some are less so and doable by everyone.

    The Pavilion Gardens 5k is on 9th March and is another free event. For those of you who don’t like road, this is the easy way to get your road race ticked. The Whitehall Wiggle, in aid of the Thomas Theyer Foundation, will be a fully marked course, and we followed the route on an Away Run last year. Mount Famine and the Kinder Trog are always popular local fell races, as is Windgather. We have included a Lake District race as requested – we chose Newlands Memorial which was formerly the Anniversary Waltz – it’s not too difficult as Lakes races go, but it won’t be marked and you will have to find your own way round. Entry is now open.

    Entry is also open for the Congleton Half Marathon and the Cheshire 10k – make sure you enter the one in November as they also have one is March. This is a fast course for anyone wanting a PB. Bollington Three Peaks gives you a bottle of beer for finishing and the Warslow Beer Festival race is, well, part of a beer festival! Also in Bollington is the Bollington 10k. We have included Fell n’ Back which raises money for the Buxton Mountain Rescue Team – if you don’t want to run this one please contact me to offer your help with registration or results if you are free. Last year we had several Striders helping, which was really appreciated by Dave and the rest of the Buxton MRT.

    Last year, 11 members did the Bullock Smithy, which was more than did some of the Championship races so, by popular request, it is included. A mere 56 miles! This is a GVS tradition, and there is plenty of time to build up your endurance and to take part in some recces.

    At the end of the end of the year we have the Dovedale Dash which is quite an experience if you haven’t done it and Litton Christmas Cracker. Both these races involve getting your feet wet!

    Summer Fell Championship 2019

    As usual we are starting the Summer Fell with Herod Farm, known to us as “Horrid Farm”. It’s usually a warm evening and makes us feel that Summer has arrived. We finish this Championship in August with Cracken Edge and, in between, we have races of varied length and difficulty, including the Wizard 5 at Alderley Edge, Sheldon, and the Boar’s Head, all of which are not too hard . The May Queen race is the night before Mount Famine in the Main Championship but we thought that this might encourage you to do all three races in the Three Days in May series as you would just have to dash up Lantern Pike on the Sunday to gain lots of points in the Hayfield Championship.

    Do take part!

    The committee hope that you feel that there is something for everyone here. If you don’t usually do the Championship, then I would encourage you to have a go! It does get easier to stand on the start line – I still often wonder why I’m there but once I get running, I feel fine, even if I’m on a race that is challenging for me.

    It’s always fun to be at a race with other Striders and, as a club, we are always very supportive of each other, with fast runners usually staying on the finish line to cheer the rest of us in! It’s also a good way to get to know other club members, especially if you car share. I will try to organise some recces if I can in the week or two before some of the races. Keep an eye on Facebook or Cluster to see the latest notifications and arrangements.

    Full details of the chosen races – and results as they become available,  are on the Main Club Championship 2019 and  Summer Fell Series Championship 2019 pages. Full rules for both championships can be found here.

    Championship Winners

    • Overall Club Champion: Lucas Jones
    • Ladies Champion: Christine Hill
    • Men’s Champion: Lucas Jones
    • Mens Vet 40: Lucas Jones
    • Mens Vet 50: Matt Biglin
    • Ladies Vet 50: Christine Bowen
    • Summer Fell Men: James Hobson
    • Summer Fell Lades: Megan King

    * Editor’s note: In previous years, the classifications were: short  – 5 miles or less; medium – 5-10 miles; long – over 10 miles. This year, the committee decided to bring the definitions into line with the FRA definitions.

  • Sally’s report to the 2019 AGM

    Welcome to the 2019 Annual General Meeting.

    As you can see, the start of the evening is the reports from the secretary collective – I’ll give a general overview, Chris, acting fixtures secretary, will report on the championship, Kevin, membership secretary will give an update on membership and Brian, treasurer will present the club accounts.

    We will then have the election of officers, the presentations, then something to eat and finally the legendary quiz.

    Committee

    I would first of all again like to thank the committee for their commitment and efforts through this year. The committee keep things happening behind scenes, and I hope when it comes to the election of officers, others consider getting involved as new ideas and energy are always welcome. Even if you don’t sign up, remember you are always welcome to come along to the meetings.

    Unfortunately our Chairman Pete Hill can’t be with us tonight.

    Other committee members are:

    • Tracy – social secretary – thanks to Tracy for organising the important aspects of this meeting tonight – i.e. food, drink and quiz!
    • Helen Parry who manages the Kit
    • Chris Tetley, our comms guru, along with Pete Fotheringham who manages the Strider
    • Lucas Jones – general committee member and of course Whaley Waltz manager
    • I’d also like to thank Alex Elsworth who carried out the fixtures secretary role until October

    Although the committee have an important role, I think more than ever now we have many members who themselves organise runs, and recces. There is a lot of encouragement and motivation from fellow members to get involved, and push ourselves to do better – although at times I suspect it’s just to prevent public humiliation from others.

    GVS@30

    This was the 30th Anniversary Year for Goyt Valley Striders, and we started it at the last AGM with some of the founder members joining us for the evening. Lou Lomas, who started the club, is genuinely thrilled with the ongoing strength of the club, and Sue Stafford was particularly pleased to note the high percentage of women now in the club.

    Much thanks has to go to Kevin Day and Rebecca Glen for the efforts put into organising both open and club anniversary races. Not only was the organisation of these events excellent, but we also benefitted from some beautifully presented mementos and prizes. My knitted fir tree had pride of place on my Christmas tree this year and our new mugs were adorned with correctly spelled logos! Thanks to both of you from all of us.

    Club Runs

    When the club first started, Sunday mornings were the main club run. Now, Sundays are still busy for many – with the aforementioned invitations to join up for runs, and Mr Ambrose’s Sunday mob – but we are also achieving good turn outs for the club runs on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday evenings and Saturday morning. It’s great to see so many turn up each week, whatever the weather. Thanks to Mark for continuing the training sessions over the winter months – I remember in the days of Andy Pead a call for involvement included the line “and you may even burp up a little sick”, I suspect this is still the case and I learned from Caz that there is a sense of pride in achieving this! Thanks to Steve Lowe and Chris T for pushing the Thursday sessions, which start from different places, but have an end in common – i.e. the pub. I know they would like more people to suggest runs for Thursdays, so if you have any ideas post them up.

    It looks as though this year will see the resurgence of the social/beginners groups which are important to introduce new runners.

    All the away runs were also well attended, thank you to all the away run leaders. If you would like to lead an away run this year we will be asking for leaders next month.

    The members races were all well attended, the Magic Mile, Sting in the Tail, Terry’s Race . Look out for the dates of these 2019. All of these are based on estimated times rather than quickest times, giving everyone equal opportunity to win. I think the amount of home baking produced at Terry’s race is unprecedented.

    Races

    The races hosted by GVS were also well attended. Our thanks go to the race managers.

    • Buxworth 5, managed by Kevin Day had 179 runners and raised £705 for Action for Sick Children plus £300 for our new club tent.
    • Whaley Waltz, managed by Mary and Lucas, had 208 runners and raised £1,006, supporting the Thomas Theyer foundation again this year.
    • Eccles Pike, managed by Matilda Simon, had 171 runners and raised £582.30 .
    • The new anniversary trail race had 185 runners and made £1,200 with donations to the National Park and Taxal Loo, and some of which we have kept for club use. The good news is that Kevin has confirmed it will be held again this year.

    That means that this year we have again made significant contributions to our favourite charities. Well done everyone involved as managers and marshals.

    This year Lucas will be working with Mark Ruston with a view to handing over the baton of race director. Similarly Matilda will be working with Tracy to hand over the directorship of the Eccles Pike race.

    Communications

    Thanks again to Chris T for his work on the web site. It is always up to date and easy to navigate. For many it is the first experience of the club.

    Our public on-line presence is via the public GVS Facebook page and Twitter account.  We also have a closed group Facebook page started by Lucas to share information between members. We aim to ensure this does remain a forum for members and club friends by checking against our membership list, so please remember to renew your membership so that you can stay in the conversation. We also have the new Cluster group set up by Chris, which has replaced the old GVS forum page. This is being well used, and it is worth copying your posts onto this forum so than non-Facebook users can be included.

    This year the Strider Newsletter went online, thanks to Pete. This saves us money on printing and delivery costs and means articles can be posted immediately rather than wait for the next edition. Thanks to those who have posted articles, if you haven’t read these yet I can recommend a visit to the web site to have a look. It would be good to see some more articles.

    We’ve now had to start paying for the Flickr account. We decided that this is worth doing as the photos put on Flickr are a much higher resolution than FB, giving us a great back catalogue of photos, so it would be good to see more uploading of photos to the account for sharing.

    Any questions\suggestions about any of this talk to Lucas, Chris or Pete.

    People

    There have been some remarkable achievements this year. These are just some examples, There are too many to mention – but needless to say I am constantly in awe of what people in the club can push themselves to.

    • Pete Ambrose completed his challenge of 5 ultras for Thomas raising £3,585.00 for the Thomas Theyer Foundation.
    • Mark Ruston completed the 95 mile West Highland Way, the great North Run with Linette, and the Bullock Smithy.
    • Chris and Dave completed the Tour Monte Rosa and the Hong Kong Mountain Trail.
    Chris and Dave at Monte Rosa
    • Steve Hennessey completed the Joss Naylor challenge.
    One legend meets another: Joss Naylor and Steve Hennessey
    • Chris T, Tracy and Roy joined Pete and Mark on the Bullock Smithy, and Tracy joined Pete on a freezing dusk till dawn.
    Pete and Tracy – Dusk till Dawn
    • Col, Amelia,Dave and Paul completed the Trigger Race and Paul and Col have just completed it again.
    • Dave Ardern gained silver at the European duathlon championship.

    But for me, this year was definitely the Year of team GVS.

    Most of the challenges above were achieved through the support and encouragement of other GVS members. This is through both support\nagging\bullying on the day, and supporting recces and planning before hand. The fell running community generally is known for supporting other runners rather than claiming individual glory, and the club has demonstrated this is buckets this year.

    And talking of teams, thanks to Chris B we have once again become involved in the FRA relays, having 2 teams entered last year, and we will be doing the same this year. James was wounded on the race, and Tracy wounded by the Tannoy announcement when she tried to find him to take him to hospital. Both have recovered well!

    And again thanks to James for organising the cross country teams, The senior men and ladies are in 4th positions in their league, so a chance that they may achieve promotion this year. The Vet men’s are 1st in their division so will be promoted, well done to them. Stand out performances from Moira Hunt, Megan King and Paul Oakley.

    Awards

    • Overall Club Champion: Lucas Jones
    • Ladies Champion: Christine Hill
    • Men’s Champion: Lucas Jones
    • Mens Vet 40: Lucas Jones
    • Mens Vet 50: Matt Biglin
    • Ladies Vet 50: Christine Bowen
    • Summer Fell Men: James Hobson
    • Summer Fell Lades: Megan King
    • Chairman’s Award: Pete Ambrose
    • Keep on Running Award: Martin Didge and Maggie
    • Terry’s Race: Eddie Webb
    • Sting in the Tail: Rebecca Glen

    Election of Officers

    All existing committee re-elected plus

    • Chris Bowen: Fixtures Secretary: Nominated Kevin Day, Seconded Brian Holland.
    • Jane Adlard: general Committee: nominated Chris Bowen, Seconded Helen Parry.

  • Terry’s Race – 4th November 2018

     by Chris Bowen

    Deciding on the date for this year’s Terry’s Race was problematic, what with the GVS Anniversary Race, the British Relays, and the Cross Country fixtures to be avoided. The only option was 4th November but then we discovered that there were two organised running events in the Goyt Valley in the morning. Faced with the thought of over 400 people on the paths in OUR valley we chose to hold Terry’s Race in the afternoon this year.

    For anyone who doesn’t know, Terry’s Race is held each year in memory of Terry Lardner. Terry ran with the club until he became ill and sadly died from cancer some years ago now. The race goes past Terry’s tree, a rowan planted in his memory. The Race Winner is awarded the The Terry Lardner Memorial Trophy at the AGM each year. Runners are set off at intervals and you guess your own time before you set off. The person nearest their time is the winner. No watches are allowed! This gives everyone an equal chance to win.

    The race starts at the Taxal layby on Long Hill. The route is the same each year but the direction alternates. This year we ran anti-clockwise setting off up the B*tard fields, up onto Taxal Edge passing Terry’s tree, past Windgather Rocks, down The Street and back along the valley.

    The sun was breaking through the mist as 19 runners gathered to take part this year. It had been a very misty, damp morning so we were very lucky. Our smart new club tent was put up in case of rain as we had to provide shelter, not for the runners, but for THE CAKES. We usually have cakes at the end of this race but this year our very talented bakers surpassed themselves with an amazing array of cakes. Sweets and fruit added to the banquet that awaited those who ran.

    Most runners underestimated their times this year – due I think to the dry conditions underfoot. Sally was 15 minutes under her estimated time! Several other people also had great runs beating their previous PBs.

    Eddie Webb, winner of Terry’s Race 2018

    I’m pleased to say that new member Eddie was the eventual winner in spite of the dramatic head injury sustained on the GVS anniversary race last weekend. He even identified the very rock that caused the damage but managed to avoid it as he ran past it this time. He was just 20 seconds over his estimated time of 1 hour 8 minutes. Lesley and Kirsty were 1 minute 36 seconds and 1 minute 37 seconds under their estimate so I have designated them joint 2nd so account for discrepancies in my timing and Wayne was 3rd.

    Mark W. ran unofficially in the morning and had a very fast time of 1 hour, 1 minute and 55 seconds. If he had run in the afternoon he would also have been 2nd, being just over 1 minute under his estimated time.

    I thought we wouldn’t make any impact on the amount of cake we had but I was wrong! Runners tucked in and enjoyed sampling several cakes while waiting for Mary to get back. She had unfortunately twisted her ankle and had to walk back along the valley. Lucas and Tess gallantly stayed with her. We hope your ankle recovers quickly, Mary.

    Thank you to Helen P for helping me at the start and finish, to those who put up and took down the tent and, of course, to the bakers!

    Chris B

    Full results are available in the members area of the web site http://www.goytvalleystriders.org.uk/pages/terry/terry2018.pdf