Vanessa Cooper took part in the Wensleydale Wander and provides the following write-up:
I’ve spent a lot of time in the last few months trying to locate challenge events for 2015 which are over 20 miles, not very ‘serious’, and include walkers (just in case I have to walk!). I found several Rotary Club organised events and Wensleydale was the first of the year. At an entry price of £10 it was an absolute bargain. I should also say, before I start, that when I say ‘run’ it is quite a gentle enjoyable run, at no point did I break into an actual max heart rate inducing ‘race pace’.
The Start
The start was in Leyburn, which I didn’t realise was only an hour from Skipton, I was a little apprehensive about my choice of clothing when I passed through horizontal snow at the top of Kidstones. Everyone congregated at Leyburn High School where there was plenty of parking and where registration was located, then there was a short walk down to the town square. There seemed to be a 50/50 mix of runners and walkers, approx. 300 people.
After leaving Leyburn square the route travelled very gently upwards across a field and through some woods and along Leyburn Shawl , there were some nice downhills and the route gently undulated towards Redmire (West of Leyburn) only marred by the relentless headwind, which was heinous. At this time the cloud had lifted and the sun was out so visibility was good and there was a bit of warmth. At Redmire the route turned out of the wind and back along the valley through some more woodland – it was at this point that I added a mile with an unfortunate diversion. That’s not to say that the route wasn’t well marked, it was excellently marked, I just wasn’t paying attention!
Tea Stop 1 – West Witton
At Bolton Hall, about 7 miles in, the long route branched off from the short route and it was back into the wind and a bit of uphill! At about 9 miles and 1 3/4hrs in there was a tea stop in West Witton village hall. I have never stopped on a run and had a cup of tea, it felt quite civilised and much nicer than some vile gooey caffeine gel, and I could have a choc chip cliff bar with it. I needed it. The next mile or so was into that wind again and a long climb up onto Penhill Park, whilst the climb/wind was really tough I was looking forward to what I knew was going to be a lovely 5 or 6 miles when I got to the top.
Sausages Sandwiches and Tea – Middleham Moor
At the top of the climb I relaxed into my favourite type of run; tailwind, gently undulating/downhill across a dry moor. The views across to Leyburn and Castle Bolton from the top of the moor were excellent and before I dropped down I attempted a photo, which was difficult with the wind. After dropping gently for a mile or so the next tea stop came into view which was at Middleham Moor. At this stop sausage sandwiches were also available! So I stopped again for a relaxing tea, watched the racehorses training/chasing the runners and collected my sandwich. I’ve never attempted to run and eat a sandwich before. It was approximately 14 miles in and I felt amazing so I jogged off with my sandwich across the Middleham Low Moor horse training grounds, only walking to pass a rather excited/demented looking race horse. I even overtook other runners whilst eating. At about 15 miles the route dropped down hill, and across a few fields into East Witton – very easy going. I’d recommend the run purely for this stretch (of course if there’s an easterly wind it would be relatively unpleasant).
Final Drinks Station – East Witton
I reached East Witton, at which point I’d been promising myself the pork pie slice I’d brought with me, but I was still full so I made the worst mistake of the whole race and in the absence of any tea I took some not very dilute orange drink, even though I had plenty of fluid. When I’d arrived at the drinks station I still felt like I’d just started the race and it was about mile 18 (for me). I left the drinks station and it felt like someone had removed half of my lungs, which I blame on the Sulphate filled orange poison drink.
The Final Stretch
Despite a lack of oxygen this was again a pleasant stretch. The route dropped downhill (Yey!) towards the Ure across nice dry fields. The route then joined a river side path and the wind returned in force, the route followed the river for about a mile and unfortunately it was a bit of a walk/run against the wind. This stretch was actually quite difficult psychologically – Leyburn was sort of visible but not much and you knew that the majority of the remaining miles would be against the wind and there would be some uphill! Despite difficulties I still managed to pass a couple of people. The route turned off the fields into a rocky tree lined lane (more like a bit of a ditch) which was a steep push but then suddenly emerged into the centre of Leyburn! Then there was a relatively minor uphill for a couple of hundred yards and the finish.
The Finish
Continuing in the same vein as the rest of the report: There was free food. Jacket potatoes with a selection of fillings and hot puddings with custard, along with tea and Nice biscuits (the biscuit type). In the end I’d managed 23 miles in 5hrs 5mins, all in a relatively relaxed manner. It was a very well marshalled and signed route, and well stocked with supplies. Despite the wind the weather and ground conditions were excellent which helped enormously and once the routes split the runners were well spread out so it was also very quiet.
There are no t-shirts/medals/etc but I’d much rather have the food and you do get a certificate at the end! Remarkably today I feel ok, I needed a full English breakfast at brunch but there are no physical difficulties. My next race is London, which may be a bit more crowded, I doubt there will be tea stops or sausage sandwiches and I’ll have to move a bit faster.