Ingleborough Fell Race 18 July 2009 by Paul Jackson
7Miles 2000' ascent
Ingleborough is the second highest peak in the Yorkshire Dales and Mark Ruscoe and I decided to compete in this event as part of our prep for our September Mountain Marathon.
As we arrived at the lovely Ingleton, the village gala was well on the way with bouncy castles and morris dancing galore.
We went for a short warm keeping an eye on the clouds on the top of the fell's dark peak. On the run back into the gala field Mark started hopping, slapping his thighs and screaming like a banshee. I thought this was part of one of the morris dancing routines and wondered if I should join in, until he told me he had been stung by a wasp on the knee (likely story).
We gathered on the main field and the race started.
The route up is a steady run up the paths until you get nearer the mountain where things got alot steeper and rockier. Many false summits on the lung bursting, calf sapping climb up. As you got to the summit the cold wind struck you. A quick run around the trig point and then a fantastic steep grassy descent. My cheek jowls were buffeting in the wind like a Top Gun in G Force(?) as I ran as fast and as hard as I could down the hill (not pretty!), hoping the wind didn't drop as I would have made the bottom without setting another foot down.
Then the long rocky path back to the village, a 12' steep drop down a grassy bank into the gala field which tested our jelly like legs and a sprint to the finish.
Mark was across the line a good five mins before me in an excellent 59min 31. My time was around 1 hour 4mins.
Whilst cooling down at the finish, Village People's YMCA was played over the loud speakers, I cast a nervous eye at Mark but thankfully he hadn't broke out dancing again.
Off for a pint then home.
This was a fantastic event, great atmosphere and would have made a good family day out.
No prizes for A&T in this race but I think we both put in gritty performances amongst many seasoned fell runners.
7Miles 2000' ascent
Ingleborough is the second highest peak in the Yorkshire Dales and Mark Ruscoe and I decided to compete in this event as part of our prep for our September Mountain Marathon.
As we arrived at the lovely Ingleton, the village gala was well on the way with bouncy castles and morris dancing galore.
We went for a short warm keeping an eye on the clouds on the top of the fell's dark peak. On the run back into the gala field Mark started hopping, slapping his thighs and screaming like a banshee. I thought this was part of one of the morris dancing routines and wondered if I should join in, until he told me he had been stung by a wasp on the knee (likely story).
We gathered on the main field and the race started.
The route up is a steady run up the paths until you get nearer the mountain where things got alot steeper and rockier. Many false summits on the lung bursting, calf sapping climb up. As you got to the summit the cold wind struck you. A quick run around the trig point and then a fantastic steep grassy descent. My cheek jowls were buffeting in the wind like a Top Gun in G Force(?) as I ran as fast and as hard as I could down the hill (not pretty!), hoping the wind didn't drop as I would have made the bottom without setting another foot down.
Then the long rocky path back to the village, a 12' steep drop down a grassy bank into the gala field which tested our jelly like legs and a sprint to the finish.
Mark was across the line a good five mins before me in an excellent 59min 31. My time was around 1 hour 4mins.
Whilst cooling down at the finish, Village People's YMCA was played over the loud speakers, I cast a nervous eye at Mark but thankfully he hadn't broke out dancing again.
Off for a pint then home.
This was a fantastic event, great atmosphere and would have made a good family day out.
No prizes for A&T in this race but I think we both put in gritty performances amongst many seasoned fell runners.
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