Chipping Show Fell Race 7.5m/1500ft

Only 69 hardy souls turned up for this one, and most of those were there because it was part of the Area Fell Race Grand Prix. This a league set up for competition between the following clubs

•Astley & Tyldesley Road Runners
•Middleton Harriers
•Radcliffe AC
•Rochdale Harriers
•Rossendale Harriers
•Saddleworth Runners

A change of route since I last did it in 2007, but unfortunately due to the fact that the location of the show field is not in shouting distance of Parlick there was no getting away from the 2 miles of trudging across sodden fields before you get to the good bit. Essentially the route was out and back to the Paddy's Pole trig point, climbing to the col just north of Parlick on the way out and then dropping down to the intake wall on the western flank to get a bit of extra climbing to return via the cairn on Parlick. Came into my own on the steep grassy bits gaining 2 places on the outward bound bit and 2 on the return. Good job, otherwise I'd have not had many behind me.

http://www.felljunior.org.uk/GP/Results/ChippingShow.pdf

There were clear views across to Morecombe bay (apparently), however I was more interested in the three gliders that were circling only a couple of hundred feet above and how they managed to avoid crashing into one another, I guess they weren't taking in the views either. Did manage to spot that someone had dropped a tube of toothpaste next to the gate on Parlick, makes a change from the usual bits of rubbish you see, obviously dentally aware in the Trough of Bowland.

Given the choice of races on that afternoon it was the most expensive at £8 (entrance to show) although you did get a £2 refund for entering the fell race. But with a family in tow, they'd at least have some entertainment whilst you were out toiling away. No racing Llamas this time, just (!) Welsh Lumberjacks with power tools.

Will be out for a utup on Thurs

TF