Turnslack Sat 23rd July 8m/2000

My first go at this race. This year was it's 33rd time of running. A bit of sunshine had brought quite a few runners out, including 'TY.

The first section along the Pennine Bridleway I knew, but we soon turned off onto unfamiliar territory. The organizer had done a good job of flagging the course but it was still 'follow-my-leader' round all the boggy bits. 'TY had set up a healthy lead until the turn at the half-way point at Freeholds Top trig point. Then we got to the good bit of the race, the steep downhill sections!

The first one was down to Ramsden Clough reservoir where if you weren't careful you nearly finished the race minus one foot crossing it's inlet, due to a cleverly hidden piece of barbed-wire amongst the reed-bed. A stiff climb over the top of Ramsden Hill and down the other side on a contouring slope to Cranberry Dam. Final stiff climb up to Noon Hill (can't believe there's two of them) and a bit of boggy running on the top until the final descent with a tricky 10ft wall to get over and then back onto the Bridleway and home.

Definitely felt longer than 8m, partly due to all the running I had to do. Not used to that having spent lots of time in the lakes recently. But it was a good blast. Winning time was 65.44 (Tom Addison, Helm Hill) I was 80th and managed 103.51 and 'TY was 88th and 110.19. There was 97 runners in total, so a good turn out. Fantastic Tea, Sandwiches and Cake all laid on (for a small fee) at the end. I'll definitely give it another go, a nice tough race for the summer.

John Mayall who runs for Rochdale has his own website which he details lots of the local races. It's a fabulous resource and includes GPS traces and OS map routes, and a bit of a write up on each race. Web address is http://www.racemaps.org.uk/ and it's where I found the info I needed for this race http://www.racemaps.org.uk/turnslackfellrace.htm

TF