Training with Attitude: In Conclusion

I have now received information from various team members thus allowing me to make a comprehensive report.

Leg 1. I ran this leg, uneventfully, in about 44 minutes and I was only just the last runner to arrive at the Waterman’s Cottage change over, sending Mary and Jan on their way.

Leg 2. This leg was run by Mary White and Jan Atkins. Mary says “I thoroughly enjoyed running the second leg with Jan and we were a well matched pair. We gained a few yards at the start by using our local knowledge and making use of the new bridal way which runs to White Coppice. With the wind more or less behind us we made good progress to Great Hill and Piccadilly. Having touched the stile we turned tail and set off back to Great Hill and a fine run along Spittlers Edge brought us to Hordern Stoops”.

Leg 3. This leg was run by EYJ. Matt, who provided transport to and from this point, tells me that EYJ was allowed to start from Horden Stoops before leg 2 members had arrived, all because of the cold weather. Teams were trusted to record leg times. EYJ tells me that he completed leg 3 in 81 minutes 34 seconds and saw hardly anyone else out on the moors. However one couple verbally admired his prowess in fell running. They could obviously recognize a gud un when they saw one.

Leg 4. This leg was run by Matt and Paul Murray, YJ having provided transport to and from the change over point. Matt says “Paul and I ran off into a strong wind which we were to encounter for a good part of our leg. Running into a strong wind whilst trying to keep up with Paul is just how every 73 year old dreams of spending their Sunday afternoon. I managed to stay with the pace for a while but eventually Paul’s superiority told, and he was left to drag a very red-faced, wheezy old geezer, home in 39 minutes 43 seconds”.

Crown Hotel Prize Giving. The team had won the combined age category prize with a total age of 416 years. All team members, apart from me, attended and prizes included tins of beans, spaghetti and larger, a couple of bottles of wine, a Christmas pudding and some energy drinks.

The Prize Giving. (Picture courtesy of Margaret Murray.)