The Tour of Pendle
Posted in RunningAnd oh my god what a tour! I feel like I now know every little bit of the hill a lot more intimately that I did a couple of days ago.
The Tour of Pendle is the last A Long Fell race in the calendar. A race that squeezes in 17 miles into a hill that covers a square of land roughly 2.5 miles wide by 3 miles and has 4800ft of ascent is no mean feat.
I was looking forward to this race as it was my first proper fell race since Wasdale in July although I was running with a few niggles I was feeling strong and fresh on the Saturday morning. I even abstained from alcohol on the Friday night in anticipation.
The race starts off with just over a km on track before the first ascent (of six) up onto the tops. This followed by a great section along the wall on the top of Pendle as a route change from the usual race line to avoid further erosion. I was stuck between trying to hold back and to stay in sight of the people in front. Choosing to try to hold on to the people in front until CP 2. An up and down of the moor took us to CP 4 and the “Geronimo descent”. Managing that okay but being caught by people behind me as I run off up Ogden Clough.
The last half of the race is a series of up and down section. A real roller coaster section, with each descent and ascent feeling bigger and longer than the last. This happens right up to the last ascent of “Big End” Which is literally the big steep end of Pendle hill. A slog that gets the cramp twinging in many a person’s calves. A final tussocky run down to Ogden clough and the run back on the trail takes you back to the finish.
I understand why Tour of Pendle is called a classic as it really is a great race at a good time of year for fell running. A bit of clag, a stiff breeze and plenty of bogs and water aided my enjoyment of the race. Mud up to waist high, some killer descents and some real thigh burning ascents. Also loads or runnable ground. Maybe too much runnable ground as there is little respite in the race.
Time was 2 hrs 51 minutes and a respectable 21st place out of 201 starters. Happy with a sub 3 hours as that was my only goal coming into the race.
November 21st, 2008 at 7:20 pm
congratulations again on a very respectable time! i’d say that was a fair report, however, i’m sure there was more up than you’ve described