Knavesmire’s Fell runners were treated to a beautiful winters day out on the Moors. Crystal clear blue skies, crisp air and the frozen ground keeping the mud at bay.
Making for a very nice introduction to the fells for the Mire’s North Yorkshire Moors fell debutante Stef Durkin.
Stef took to the fells like a duck to water ( frozen water) , revelling in the adventure and the adreneline rush of tackilng the varied terrain offered by the 6 mile route.
The race was delayed due to a record number of entries ( 148 ), the start saw a mad dash across a field, as the leading contenders tried to be the first to squeeze through the gate before the sharp climb onto Urra Moor,then followed by a long traverse across the moor , a tricky crossing of a steep sided and icy stream , a bit of a slog along a gravel track to reach the North Yorkshire Moor’s highest point at Round Hill (454 m’s) , returning along a flag stoned section of the Cleveland Way and finally a breakneak descent through the woods back to the finish.
Knavesmire’s first runner home was Chris Roberts ( 2nd 37:26 ), followed by Tom Ratcliffe ( 8th 40:22) , Giles Hawking ( 11th 42:35 ), Richard Tarrega ( 47th 47:09) , Stefan Durkin ( 48th 47:51 ) , Cassie Holmes ( 60th 48:25 ) , and Janet Cordingley ( 107th 54:13).
Special thank to YKH’s Neil Stabbs for marking the course out.
The next race in the Esk Valley series is Broughton Woods on 2nd Feb
Also if you fancy giving this a go, but feel a bit nervous , the club will soon be holding an introduction to fell running run out on the Moors, a gentle introduction to the wonders of running off the beaten track, details coming soon.
Photos kindly taken by DigIn&BearIt
