Osmotherley Phoenix 2014 Report

Five Knavesmire Harriers entered the Osmotherley Phoenix this year with Simon Collins, Phil Richardson and Margaret Metcalfe running the 17 Mile route and myself stepping up to the 26 mile route from the 17 last year along with Michael Denner. I had been hoping for a cooler day this year but once again the sun was shining and it was already starting to get quite hot.

After a bit of pre race chat, mainly about how hot it was, everyone assembled at the start line and Paul Adams set the runners off and we charged up the village to the first turn onto the Cleveland Way. A group of 3 were in the lead, all of whom I hoped were on the 17 mile route, followed by Simon and then myself. I was already getting very hot as we made our way up to the radio tower and the 1st checkpoint and then onto the climb up to the first route split at Carlton bank. I arrived just behind Simon and wished him luck as he headed off after the 17 mile leading pack and I continued along towards Clay Bank.

Fortunately you have the option to take the bottom route to Clay Bank allowing you to avoid the 3 big climbs and I was able to get some welcome shelter from the sun in the woods. I arrived at Clay Bank after around 11 miles of running and was still feeling good. The highest point on the North York Moors, Round Hill, was the next target and the climb up and the my legs were beginning to feel a little tired on the climb. Thankfully after reaching the highest point the only way is down and I now had 3 miles of easy running to the checkpoint at Chop Gate. I had been trying to take on as much water as possible at the checkpoints but I still couldn’t seem to get enough in the midday heat.

The long climb up Cock Howe now awaited, steep at the bottom and then a long drag up to the summit, great when we are heading down it on our usual training run route but not so much going the other way. I took the opportunity on the steep section to take on some food as I could only manage a walk by this point. Once the summit had been reached it was now another few miles of downhill before the final checkpoint. At this point the 26 mile route rejoins the 17 and I was spurred on by catching and passing a few of the slower 17 mile runners.

From the final checkpoint to the finish I had now been reduced to a walk on anything resembling a climb and was starting to suffer from a little bit of cramp. Finally the finish appeared and I crossed the line to be met by Simon and Phil who had been enjoying the wait in the sunshine.

Simon had finished 2nd overall in the 17 mile race having paced it well and made his way past a few of the tiring early leaders. Phil was happy to have finished just inside 3 hours and Margaret completed the race in 4 hours 17 minutes. In the 26 mile race I had taken 1st place in 3 hours 49 minutes and Michael finished in 6 hours 53 minutes.

After a very welcome post race hosepipe shower and quick change I tucked into a couple of bits of cake at the Osmotherley Summer Games, which takes place every year after the race, before heading home for a well earned rest.

I would highly recommend this well organised race next year to anyone who wants to explore the western area of the North Yorkshire Moors.

Thanks to all the volunteers including YKH members Paul and Sue Adams, Stuart Ambler and Martin and Maureen Medlar.

Full Results

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