I ran this marathon for Holly:
After the dramas of Doha marathon, I was looking forward to this marathon which was to be a low key, trail affair from It’s Grim Up North Running (IGUN), who say they are ‘the friendliest, most inclusive race company around’, certainly all the pre-race chat on their Facebook group suggested this to be true. We did think it was a bit ironic that we were going to schlep a really long way south (319 miles to be exact) to find out just how ‘grim up north’ it might be!
In the interests of family harmony we decided just to be away for one night and after some dramas with booking accommodation we opted for an airbnb right in Pateley Bridge. We headed down there after work on Friday evening, Vikki and Iain were driving, Gina and I sat in the back eating vast quantities of mini eggs (food of athletes of course) and we nattered the journey away.
We eventually arrived in Pateley Bridge about quarter past midnight (it’s a REALLY long way south!) and were looking forward to getting to bed. I had made a daft comment in the car about this race being free from dramas …. which felt really stupid when it soon became apparent that the key to the airbnb hadn’t been left in the key safe for us and it looked like we might have to sleep in the car. Thankfully we managed to contact the host and by 12.30am we were in and heading to bed. Of course we were now wide awake so it took some more chatting to feel sleepy again.
The next morning was quite leisurely as we didn’t need to register until 9am and it was only a 2 minute walk away, so close that after we had registered we went back to the house and stayed warm for a bit. I took the customary ‘registered and ready’ picture and then we headed back to the race.
The race takes place on a 5-mile loop which we had to do 5 times plus a short out and back to make up the distance. There were several other races also taking place – an ultra-marathon (6 loops), and then 20, 15, 10 and 5 mile races. After a short briefing, about 25 marathoners (including a man dressed as a rhino!) set off on the out and back. I wasn’t sure whether I was going to run with the others or do my own thing but my overly competitive nature took the better of me within the first mile when I noticed there were only about 8 ladies in the race and there were trophies for the top 3 – could I come home with a trophy? “That would be good for the blog!”, I thought! I had no idea of the ability of the other ladies so I settled into a steady pace and enjoyed the race day atmosphere.
After the out and back we joined the main route just as the 5 mile race had started. This was a bit frustrating as the path is so narrow and there are lots of kissing gates and stiles so it was very stop, start and lots of queuing waiting to get through, I have to admit to a bit of pushing in, sorry 5-milers!
The route was shaped like a lollipop with the ‘stick’ being an out and back. It was all on trails and through fields and there was a lot of mud:
The lollipop part of the course was one, very long, steep, muddy hill (a thousand times worse than the Stoney parkrun hill!) which got harder and harder to climb as the race went on as there were so many runners repeatedly climbing it:
But at least the views from the top were nice:
The weather forecast for the race had been horrendous – rain and high winds, so I had set off in my jacket. I had also decided to run with my camelbak on. It was definitely windy but the course was reasonably sheltered so after the first lap I ditched the jacket and also the camelbak as it was annoying me, and it felt good to run a bit lighter.
The race passed in a blur of seeing lots of people on the out and back section (which gradually got less as people finished the shorter races). Every time I saw the rhino I made sure to give him a shout – how he got that thing through the kissing gates, I’ll never know! Not long after the rhino I usually saw Vikki, Gina and Iain (yes, they were beaten by the rhino but it happens to the best of us, I have been thrashed by many a womble at the London Marathon!). I always got a boost seeing them so I was disappointed when I somehow missed them on my 4th lap but it turned out I wasn’t far behind them starting their 4th lap when I started my 5th.
Photo credit: Chris Green
Soon I was heading back for the final time and looking forward to getting finished. I had a feeling I was at least one of the top 3 ladies as I had seen several ladies behind me, but I couldn’t really tell. I crossed the line in 4.40 and got my medal but no trophy so I assumed I wasn’t in the top 3 after all which was a bit disappointing but I was pleased with my time on a very tough and muddy course.
I decided to wait to see the others come through from their fourth into their final lap and whilst standing at the finish I idly asked the marshal how many marathoners had finished. “Wait a minute”, she says, “I think you were the first lady!”. She goes off to check and sure enough I was soon the proud owner of this beauty:
I was SUPER CHUFFED! Looking at the results later, I had come 6th overall out of 25 finishers (on the marathon) and 1st lady out of 7. Trails and mud obviously suit me! I picked up my pie ‘n’ pint and happily shuffled back to the airbnb (the owner had very kindly allowed us a late checkout so we could shower after the race which was hugely appreciated).
The others finished in 6:08 and arrived back at the house cold but happy. We didn’t hang around long though, it was a long drive back north after the grim up north race! The best part about only being away one night? Waking up in my own bed on Sunday and doing nothing but lying on the sofa for most of the day, bliss!
I have discovered I very much enjoy a lapped race, it’s easier mentally as you can break it down, and you get a boost from seeing all the same faces multiple times throughout. The IGUN races are low key but well organised and have a lovely, friendly atmosphere. I now have a long break before my next marathon which is not until March 28th. 3 down, 9 to go and we have nearly raised £2k!! Thanks everyone!
Robertson Family Fundraising 