20/03/2011 Heptonstall Fell Race 2011

15.4 miles 3,170 feet ascent (Cat; LB)

Result

1 Ben Mounsey Calder Valley Fell Runners M 1:55:49
59 Dave McGuire Hyde Park Harriers V40 02:27:47
193 Finishers

This was the inaugural race at Heptonstall organized by Calder Valley Fell Runners. It proved a real success. This was an out and out proper fell race and misty, missley weather added to an authentic mountain race.  The blurb on the official site described the race as follows; ‘The Heptonstall Fell Race is a category BL race across the best of the local landscape around Heptonstall in the upper Calder Valley. The 15 or so miles of route takes in a mixture of steep-sided wooded valleys, upland pasture and pathless moorland. You'll be hurtling down grassy slopes, struggling across stretches of bog, scrambling up through thick heather, dodging through dense woodland and – most of all – racing over some wild open countryside. If you get the chance to look around, you'll see for miles across some of the most beautiful and remote scenery in the South Pennines.’

I thoroughly enjoyed the race; setting off last I wanted to test out my healing ankle and get some distance work into my system. A really friendly bunch hosted the event and the usual camaraderie took place amongst runners, during and at the post race prize giving at The White Lion and Weavers Square.

The accompanying montage of map, diagram and photo’s, gives a flavour of the event.

Full results can be found at : www.heptonstallfellrace.org.uk/results

Report courtesy of Dave McGuire