I have been “Dot Watching” for a few years now and never thought that one day I would become one of those dots, even just one of those dots that stop after 108 miles.
The thought of travelling by foot that distance non stop in one go, scares me even now that I have done it!
When fellow team member Paul Freeman from Northumberland National Park MRT mentioned he had applied, I was so impressed, I decided to join him.
It felt like because it was still months to go until the event, between then and now some magic would happen and I would be ready on the day. I had no training plan other than spending as long on my feet in the hills over the next months as I could, with a recce nearer the time.
So fast forward to one month before the event, at the beginning of December I booked a train and headed down to Edale in the Peak district. I spent the next three days travelling over 70 miles of the route in pretty decent weather and conditions. My conclusion … well that wasn’t too bad! Maybe, just maybe I could do it!….
Once I stopped thinking of the event as 108 miles and broke it down into smaller sections, it became more bearable to think about.
For around a week before the event my kit was packed, un-packed, packed, tested, worn, packed, un-packed, thrown in the corner, packed, until finally it all fitted in both my rucksack and the drop bag (8kg in rucksack, 18kg in drop bag)
Again I found myself on a train down to Edale, but this time it was the real deal! All dress rehearsals were done, now it was the one and only live performance.
I met Paul in the village and we spent the next 24 hours taking part in more kit faffing!
Standing on the start line of the MRT Challenger event at 9am on Saturday 11th 2020, was one of the most terrifying moment of my life, but there was no hiding now, with the sound of a horn, a bell and a MR vehicle siren, we were off!
I ran most of the way to the bottom of Jacob’s ladder, and looking back the 30 odd competitors seemed to spread out well. Out of breath at the top of Jacobs ladder a member of the public asked if I was taking part on a sponsored walk, I smiled and said “yeah, sort of”
With strong winds on the top of Kinder it wasn’t really until Kinder Downfall that it started to make an impact with people. From the waterfall to Mill Hill the gusts were very strong, and the danger was the moment when the gust stopped and you were still leaning into the wind, and you would nearly drop to the ground. The path direction changes from Mill Hill to Snake Pass, so the wind was on my back.
Going over the flag stones to Snake Pass my right calve started to feel really tight, and as I was worrying about that, a momentary lack of concentration lead to me catching my Black Diamond pole between the flagstones and snapping it! I was gutted, so early on in the race and I was down one piece of kit!
During the section over Bleaklow and down Clough Edge, I started to pass the main Challenger runners who had set off one hour before. This did cheer me up again after my pole disaster!
The first MR refreshment tent was a welcome sight at Crowden (16 miles) I spoke to a lady there who also had lost a pole on the first section!
The next 4 miles over to Black Hill I knew from my recce, and I really didn’t like it! Especially around Laddow Rocks area, as here the path is muddy and broken, which was a great description of how I was starting to feel!
Even though the weather had been pretty miserable up to this point, it was bearable and didn’t make much difference to the run (Yes I was still running at this point!) but not long after Wessenden Head road crossing (22 miles) the Darkness set in, and with that heavy rain and stronger winds! By the time I got to another “least favourite” section (the short sharp steep climb from Hey Green) and onto Black Moss/ Blakely Clough it was the most miserable it could be! I saw one female in from of me just sit down, and tell her partner see couldn’t go any further (I did see her later though)
Passing one of the reservoirs (Black Moss) the wind was so strong it was blowing the water out of the reservoir and onto the path. There was another MR Tea tent at 27 miles. About 6 of us huddled under a VW awning trying to eat and drink and sort our kit out, and trying to un-mist our goggles. I met 5 lads from Dublin here and I ran with them for the next few miles. It’s good to have company when you’re at low points, especially for navigation backup!
After a cheery hello from MR personal at the M62 crossing (31 miles), still with the Irish lads we headed over Bleakstone edge. This was a section during the recce I had flagged in my mind as being a possible area of concern for tired legs, as it’s a very rocky section. But we took out time and concentrated on our footwork, whilst still being bombarded by rain and beaten by wind.
With visibility down to a few metres and my reactive head torch being badly affected by the fog, the refreshment tent at White House was like an Oasis when it came into view (I was nearly through the door before I knew it was there!) This tent was fantastic! Heated! Hot water! Big enough for 20 people, biscuits…. I took time in here, had two cups of strong, sweet coffee, a cup of hot black currant and a handful of biscuits. I also took time on some personal admin, swapping hat and gloves for warm ones dry ones.
If I entered the tent on 20% power, I left back up on around 40%…. So 40% power to get me to Hebden Bridge, another 15 miles.
The next section along the three reservoirs went really well, I felt good, the rain had eased I “slip streamed” a couple in front of me eventually passing them on Langfield Common before the ridge to Stoodley Pike. This landmark is a funny one, as although you can see Hebden Bridge below you CP1 is still around 6 miles away, and involves some decent descents and ascents. (Well big, when you have been on your feet for 14 hours!)
Dropping down into Charlestown I started to feel what I thought was a hotspot coming on, so I stopped, scraped the mud of my feet and dealt with it. During my stop the couple I had passed, then passed me again briefly, but for some reason this bothered me greatly so I started to run to catch them up and passed them again within half a mile!
There is a steep climb out of the valley here and although going slow I managed to pass two further competitors on the climb!
I reached the check point at Hebden Bridge 45 MILES (CP1) AT 01:50 AM
I feel its defiantly worth mentioning that as promised, the path down the Scout Centre where CP1 is without doubt the most horrible descent of the whole course! It’s either rocky or you are wading in 10 inches of pure sloppy mud! I did fall on this section, but apart from getting covered in mud I didn’t sustain any injuries thank God.
I planned on spending no more than three hours at CP1 and I wanted to make the 3 hours as useful as I could, so no faffing, or at least very little!
I was led into a conservatory area and my shoes where taken off me and washed I think!
My Drop Bag was brought to me and both that and my rucksack were carried to a room where I could start my personal admin. First thing was to get me head torch and phone on charge, next I stripped off and bagged all my wet clothes, before heading into the shower. I then dried off, checked my feet for blister (They were not too bad, but would need some attention) I then went into the eating area and ate some rice and chicken, and had a cup of very Milky Coffee. I had been eating well during the race so, didn’t feel like I needed to eat too much.
I then went back through to the room with my kit, and as much as I didn’t want a kit explosion, I couldn’t help it! I re-filled my rucksack with dry kit and fresh food and did this as best I could without losing bits of kit. I would get to the point of thinking I had finished and then remember something at the bottom of by bag, and then have to delve into it again. I was tired, so I guess this can’t be helped to a certain degree.
I had planned for 45 mins sleep, so I went to the dorm and “booked” my slot, I lay down, set my alarm for 35 mins and then lay there for most of it awake, only probably getting around 20 mins sleep!
After some feet strapping from the Exile Medics, I headed back up the dreaded path, but it didn’t feel so bad going up! And nearly at the top I found Paul heading down. We spoke briefly before continuing on our way. So 3 hours after heading into CP1 I was about to start the second longer part of the event…. Just another 65 miles to go……
Not long back on the route I met up with some of the Dublin lads again, but they were down from five to three, as two had dropped out. The next few miles went pretty well as the sun started to come up. But as I was getting to know, when things are going well, they have a habit of then going the other way!
At Ponden Reservoir the rain started again, and quiet heavy this time. The next section across Ickornshaw moor, I hadn’t included in my recce as it was windy in December. By the time I was halfway across this moor, I was by myself, I was getting cold and very wet, my spirit started to drop, it was just one puddle followed by a mud bath after another for around 5 miles. I saw what looked like a shooting lodge up ahead, I didn’t think it would be open, but there was an outhouse next to it that I hoped might be. As I reached it I found it was open! Thank god! I went in, added my last bit of warm dry clothing (Montane Prism Jacket) changed my gloves again and ate a pie!
I could see someone coming over the moor, so I headed back out to try and stay in front, and when a turned the corner, I was greeted with blue skies!
Dropping down into Ickornshaw Village, I noticed a diversion sign that hadn’t been mentioned in the briefing, so followed it along the road and met a guy who seemed a little disorientated, he asked if we were on the right route, I explained I thought it was a diversion and we should follow it, He didn’t seem convinced so we rang race HQ and had it confirmed.
My mood was back to normal again as I passed through the village and headed up over farmland and dropping down to Lothersdale.
I was looking forward to this location as I had read there was a local running club had set up a tent with a feed station. Craven Energy Triathlon Club really put on a great show! They take your bag, cover you in a blanket and give you food and drink. The only problem with this is I didn’t want to get up again!
This is where I met Andrew again, the lad who we had gone through the diversion earlier with.
We decided to move together after that, which worked really well, as I helped with navigation and he helped me with moral!
For the next few miles Andrew really kept me going at a better pace than I would have gone by myself, as the miles seemed to tick by, passing through Thornton In Craven and East Marton without any real issues.
I had always planned on sleeping at Malham for an hour or so, but Andrew was keen on persuading me to go without sleep and crack on to the end.
On reaching Gargrave we stopped of at the Coop to treat ourselves to some goodies! Coke Cola, BabyBel, and tangtastics! This cheered us up massively as we headed onto a piece of the route I hadn’t recced before, and although its not hard terrain underfoot, navigationally it proved tricky at times. We were soon through Airton Village heading north for Hanlith. I had heard whispers that the road section here was steep, and boy was it steep! Both of us really had to dig deep to get up to the hairpin bend where the Pennine Way continues north.
We arrived in Malham at 20:30 on Sunday night and as I passed both pubs in the village I glanced through the windows and saw the happy warm people sitting in the bar eating and drinking, before we headed to the public toilets to fill our water bottles up! Sniff sniff!….
I have always promised myself to visit Malham Cove, but not under these circumstances! Dark, tired and starting to drizzle again we headed up the steps that lead to the top of the Cove. We stopped to smile and take a photograph of the Samaritans sign that was placed on many of the gates, joking that we were close to calling them!
Apparently it is difficult to find the gap in the wall that the leads through Ing Scar, but It didn’t take us long to find it. I would have much preferred to have done this section in the daylight as it looked even in the dark to be pretty stunning!
Malham Tarn was the next location, where we would find shelter, food and hot water. This didn’t seem to be too far at around 3km, maybe 45 mins and we would be there… But it seemed to take an eternity, in fact with the darkness and mist it had a certain lunar landscape feel about it. The lights to the Field Study Centre seemed to move further away as we got closer!
Once inside the centre we chatted with the Safety team and got the lowdown on how the race was going.
Around 50 people had pulled out of the Challenger event and the MRT event was now down from 30 to around 12 people. I was pleased to hear that Paul my colleague was still in the race. I tried to eat another pie at this point, but I was beginning to struggle eating anything more that handfuls of sweets! And drinking water to wash them down!
After some personal admin (Talc) and a coffee, we headed out into the night again to the next stop at Horton In Ribblesdale, but this time we had two more competitors with us, as the section between Malham and Horton has some big steep climbs, and we all thought it would be good to stick together.
The long climb up onto Fountains Fell seemed to take for ever, the visibility was very poor (down to 8 metres) my feet were really starting to ache at this point, and I could tell my hotspots were now fully grown-up blisters! As we dropped off the other side of Fountains Fell (668 m) I screeched like a baby! One of the blisters went pop! And it stung like hell!! The rest of the lads asked what was wrong, and we decided that once we had a little shelter, we would stop and sort it out.
Luke, one of the lads I was with helped me take my shoe and sock off, and fitted some compeed to my ankle. The wound was red, weepy and about one inch in circumference. I worried that this might be too much for me to carry on with all the way to the end; after all we still had around 18 miles left.
After a few hundred metres, the pain score coming from my blister went from 8 to around 3 which is what my feet had felt like for the last 20-30 miles!
At the road crossing at Bishmire Close there was members of the SST, so I requested a medic to meet me at Horton to look at my feet and hopefully patch them up.
As we arrived at Pen-y-Ghent the other three lads who hadn’t climbed the mountain before started to remark they were slightly concerned about it, due to the weather conditions and finding the right line up the steep rocky ascent. As I had around 20 ascents over the previous 12 months, I took the lead and let them up slowly and carefully, knowing that at least one of them wasn’t really enjoying it!
This is exactly why travelling with others works really well this far into an event, one minute someone is helping you, then the next you have something you can give to people…
Dropping off the summit and heading down to Horton, the group was very quiet, all either deep in thought or sleep walking. It was here that I started to hallucinate, seeing a little black Scotty dog biting the legs of Andrew as he walked and I couldn’t understand why it was bothering him!
Half a mile from the village, Ben decided to jog to the village hall; I’m not sure where he got the sudden burst of energy!
We arrived at the School at Horton, the floors were covered in plastic sheeting which was a good job, as my feet were layered in clarts.
I wanted to change in to dry socks after my feet had been cared for my the medics, so I took off my shoes and socks and washed both my shoes and feet in a sink. This proved to be very difficulty as it would have been hard to get my feet in to the sink on the best of days let alone trying to raise achy legs with 90 miles in them to that height!
The Exile Medic looked at my feet and patched them up best he could, telling me the tape should last until the end.
Whilst Andrew was getting his feet looked at, I took the opportunity to do some personal admin (charge phone up, check GPS battery, get dry gloves and eat some food)
It wasn’t long before John Kelly, the lead runner in the full spine came in to the room. He seemed very quiet, and didn’t look like he liked the fuss. (And the camera!)
After sitting at the table like a nodding dog, desperately fighting sleep, Andrew reminded me it was time to go, so we put our wet trainers on again, and said thanks to the folks from the Horton Cave Rescue Organisation, and headed back out onto the trail.
Within 5 minutes we had taken the wrong path, and after realising and getting back onto the right one, I could see someone 200 metres further up the track. When we got to them it was an official Spine photographer. I asked him if he was waiting for the lead runner, and he replied to say he had already passed a couple of minutes before! WOW he had still been in the CP when we left!
As we headed up towards the “infamous” Cam Road, I was really struggling to concentrate due to lack of sleep. I could tell I had slowed down, as Andrew was now looking like a person who was wanting to crack on, but was looking for the words…. I gave him those words and released him at Ling Gill Bridge.
As Andrew bounded on in front of me two full spinners came up behind me, Eoin Keith and Jayson. I passed the time of day with them, wished them luck and as I saw them and Andrew start making ground on me, it did something to me…. I suddenly found an energy burst! Within 300 metres I had caught Andrew up again and was trying to make ground on Eoin and Jayson. The latter was not to be, as I saw them disappear over the horizon, I wouldn’t see Eoin again until the Border Hotel in Yetholm!
From Can end for the next 8 miles to the finish I stayed with Andrew, struggling to keep at his pace at times, and eventually about 1.5 miles from the end Andrew headed off again without me, this time I wouldn’t catch him up. I was walking like John Wayne by this time, with severe chaffing, by feet were numb with blisters, but I could see Hawes in the distance and all I had to do was keep plodding.
The drop down from the fell was horrendous! The soft water-logged hillside was lethal in my Hokas, I had no grip and I slowed down again due to not wanting to fall and injure myself so close to the end. Reaching the road was such a relief and I even broke into a jog for the last section.!
As soon a I turned onto the main street in Hawes, I was joined by a video camera (and a bloke) and I limped/jogged over the finish line to be greeted by my the person I most wanted to see, Cindy. She had set off from Wooler early in the morning just in case I came in earlier. It was so good to see her and other friends waiting at the finish line. That was it! 108 miles! (or more) My only goal before I started was to finish it within 60 hours, and I had finished it in 52:13. NEVER AGAIN…….. …………(So with reducing my time at CP1…….:-) )