Burnsall Classic

Centenary Burnsall Classic Fell Race

This is one of those 'do before you die' events, and I was pretty thrilled to have coincidentally chosen the centenary year to participate. The legendary reputation is well deserved. We had a cracking day out what with our baguette, cheese, biscuits, grapes, wine, a blanket on the river bank and the newspapers.

When it comes to tactics there is only one way to run this course in my novice view; flat out to the point of vomiting at the summit flag, then try to stay upright as you plummet back down the fell at breakneck speeds.

I came 36th in 19:04, some significant time and distance behind race winner Rob Hope, who finished in 13:59. The results are here.

This race is utterly exhilarating and possibly the biggest kick I've ever had in under 20 minutes!

The t-shirt is also head and shoulders the favourite among a preposterous collection. Ironically I've decided to give these 'free t-shirt' events a wide birth because they're invariably overpriced and under whelming. Compare your average £10 10K with a £5 fell event where the marshals sit on a mountainside freezing their buttocks off for your kind benefit and then you cross the finish line, not to be given a carrier bag brimming with litter, but a welcoming cup of tea and a slab of something sweet and delicious.

I must congratulate the Burnsall organisers for doing what many don't and actually keeping the race entry at £5 and thereby genuinely offering the t-shirt for FREE without ever having publicised the memento.

Managed a 10.27 3K on the track last week, plus my first top ten place yesterday in a (erh hum, cough splutter) £10 10K with free medal in a carrier bag that contained random paper and a Mars Bar. It was a club 'runner of the year' event... that nobody else attended. By my calculations had the course been an exact 10K on a flat road then my time might have been around the 37 minute mark, so I'm regaining form.

I'm starting to feel excitement/trepidation about the Grisdale Horseshoe this Saturday. 10 miles - 5000' climb. Billy Goat tells me you need a parachute for the decent, which takes a less than conventional route down St Sunday's Crag. Then there's the sting in the tale climb back up to 'the hole in the wall'. Bring on the pain.

Onwards!

Did I mention that Viz allowed himself to be beaten by vermin (a guinea pig) in the pet competition at Burnsall? Utter travesty.