Unfortunately the Blacksheep Champs has not been well attended this year. A host of reasons for this have been put forward which I won't go in to. But its telling when I am currently first woman in the champs (and I am not fast).
This race ticked a lot of boxes; less than an hours drive, not too steep, not too far and with a fete/fair to enjoy at the end. Somewhat unexpectedly, it was also a glorious sunshine day.
And yet, it was only Brian and I turned up. Oh well, we can but try. I must confess, I wasn't really feeling this one. It had been a manic week, I had a week to go until my wedding, dog care had been a nightmare and I had run parkrun that morning. But you only get so many chances in life so you have to take them.
One criticism of this event (both fete and fell race) was the parking. One road ended up completely blocked with parked cars, and a negotiation with a local farmer might have helped that. There weren't many public transport options (3.5 mile up hill walk from Todmorden aside). I managed to avoid the worst of it and get registered in a warm tent on the fete field. The portaloo wasn't great but I at least got in early.
The race pack was dominated by local clubs Calder and Todmorden and there were just over 60 of us. The event started away from the fete field and there was a bit of fumble with counting us in and out as due to most of us being too busy chatting....
But then we were off up a rocky tack and one lady promptly fell over the uneven footing. But we very quickly spread out and were soon heading down up and around the higher level farm land. It was undulating rather than outright steep. A lot of it was very runnable, and the paths though narrow were fine because we spread out quite quickly. It was typically Pennine in that you had to watch your feet due to the rockiness, but in the sunshine it was lovely.
We dropped down past someone rebuilding a wall, and then up a road section where Brian very much started to move ahead of me. The heat was getting to me a bit, and as we started the long drag along Edge Lane, I forced myself to keep running. I also realized I recognized this section from the Moors the Merrier a few years ago....in completely different weather.
The climb across the moor to the Standing Stone trig was lovely as a slight breeze came up, but it still felt a bit warm. The view was incredible. We then dropped down slightly to join a section of Pennine Way. A couple of topless chaps were running up the other way as I hit the flags and probably thought I
was mad. I probably am a bit. This section undulated a bit but again, was very runnable. However, the heat and my lack of fitness were very much catching up with me. I was glad I had bothered to bring some water.
Towards the edge of the moor, I past a lady hobbling, but she said she was okay. There weren't many people around me otherwise and I had the feeling I was somewhat under performing. I would later come in as last WSEN but hey.
The next section was an up and over, wiggling between farms and roads. I am always slightly amazed how many little places there are tucked in and around here. More people live up here still than you would guess. On the descent I was being really rather slow, my legs being pathetic and my head being conscious of my wedding photos in 6 days time! No bruises or scratches above the waist please! I was overtaken by someone much closer to my Dad's age than mine! (I got him back later).
In a complete change of scene we dropped in to a steep-sided clough were a stream ran through and people were playing with their dog. It was one of those places you won't find unless you know. Then it was steeply up and out before leaving the Pennine way to start a long slog across the fields. This apparently is the Calderdale Way which is another footpath that warrants an explore some time. It was a long, hot uphill slog. I could see Brian slightly ahead of me and another old chap I thought I might catch but didn't quite. One field, a second field, a mown field (sorry farmer, we wrecked your rows), and then stumbling in to the far side of the fete field to the finish.
THe dog show was on and many people were milling around the fete. I just wanted a cold drink. Sadly I couldn't stay due to dog care but it would have been a fab afternoon out.
Overall a poor performance from me due to lack of threshold level fitness, but a good time on a very runnable fell race with a sting in the tail. Would recommend, but not the parking.
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