3am in the morning and I’m sat up in bed, wearing just my navy blue Patagonia Y fronts and a head torch. I’m also smearing factor 30 sun block on my arms and legs. A guy looks in the window, he’s wearing a hoodie, we stare at each other, it doesn’t take long to workout which one of us is the “misfit”
You see I have entered the “10 peaks challenge”. A race around the 10 highest peaks in the Lake District. I have slept the night in my landrover, parked near the grounds of a posh Keswick hotel and the transfer coaches leave for the start in 15 minutes. This is the second year for the event. A charity event for Macmillan Cancer Research. Last year 52 people started and non finished!
The coaches leave on time and we arrive at Thirlmere. A pep talk from the organiser follows, I look around at my fellow competitors. There’s a good mix of long distance runners and walkers. Also a smattering of hard as nails fell runners, with their tatty and worn gear, obligatory holes in their Helly Hansen thermals and calf muscles shaped like spades. Contrasting with the road runners, well dressed in co-ordinated Ronhills, nattering about negative split times and mile markers.
4am-a relaxed start follows and I let the first 30 or so get ahead, not that I had much choice about the first dozen.
A quick wizz up Hellvelyn 1st peak, keeping it steady, 55 minutes gone. Made memorable by the beautiful sunrise across the Pennines to the east. The hardcore fell runners dive off the summit on a direct line back to Thirlmere. I want to save my legs for later and take the tourist path descent.
CP1-Thirlmere. A chance to collect plenty of food and water, before tackling the long slog up Wythburn. It’s as ever very boggy, I eat my food whilst wallowing and wading through the morass. Early morning sunshine, its 6.30am. High Raise summit passes, and steady running leads to Angle tarn. Here the first route choice beckons, the BGR route up Bowfell Rakes or the path from Angle tarn? The BGR route wins the day, though steep its quicker and I’m ahead of my chasers. The summit of Bowfell 2nd peak gives tremendous views of the central Pikes of Scafell. I push on over Esk Pike and down to Esk Hause. Passing 3 Wharfedale Harriers en-route. (More of which later) The 3rd/ 4th and 5th peaks pass in quick succession.
CP2-Scafell Pike 6th peak. The highest peak in England. Its 9.30am and the day is warming up. Time to put on my sun hat and shirt. Each competitor is allowed ½ ltr of water and an energy bar here. I chatted to the checkpoint crew, a smile crossed my lips as I casually mentioned the guys behind are not too thirsty and that they said I could have their water ration. The checkpoint crew saw through my ruse and laughed out loud!
Off now to the 7th peak, Scafell. Lords Rake is as ever steep and scree filled, making for slow progress. Leaving the summit I head back down. The Wharfedale guys and I exchange greetings as we pass each other. It’s getting hot now and I try to fill my bottle from a water drip weeping from the cliff face, but it takes too long. I Continue along the rough path below Pikes Crag heading for Lingmell Col and the Corridor Route to Styhead Tarn. Picking up water en-route from the numerous streams.
Straight up the rocky steps to the summit of Gt Gable – 8th Peak before tackling the steep scree run down to CP3-Beck head. Another ½ ltr water ration here. Developing my ruse from CP2 I successfully blag an additional ½ ltr of water. However honour abounds and I admit my scam and hand back my “extra water”.
From here it’s a long run round the back of Kirk Fell and Black Sail Pass to Pillar 9th peak. It seems to take an age, my energy levels are low. I plod on. Brief chat with the Wharfedale guys, glad I’m not the only one finding it hot. One more peak to go. I now retrace my steps and more, heading for Honister Pass and CP4. Along Moses Trod I’m hailed by a couple from across the hillside. I’m in race mode so pretend not to hear them. More hailing, yep it’s definitely me they want to speak to, I decide I can spare a couple of minutes, they’re lost and want to know the way to Borrowdale.
Returning to race mode and the task in hand I run on. “Bugger” I spot the Wharfedale guys ahead disappearing over a ridge, where did they come from? They had picked a much better line than me. So I’m now 10 minutes behind them instead of 10 minutes ahead, great – NOT.
CP4 – Honister slate mines, jacket potatoes and chilli, proper food, just what I need. Keen to get going I grab a banana and head off up Dale Head towards the last peak. I carry the banana for a couple of miles, I know I need to eat it but just cannot bring myself to – am feeling a little nauseous. A battle rages in my head, “either eat it or throw it away” no point carrying something you’re not going to eat, think of all that extra weight! Such are my thoughts late afternoon. Eventually I do a deal with myself and eat half of it.
Running down Newlands valley is just beautiful. It’s still very hot, the rocks radiating their heat, gathered throughout the day. Using my cap I scoop water over my head from the streams. I have a good chat with the Wharfedale guys as we enter CP5 – Nichol End Marina. Last chance for food and water. For the past couple of miles Skiddaw 10th peak, has been looming ever larger. Definitely the crux of the race. A direct line from here to Keswick and the finish is only a couple of miles away; however we have nearly 10 more to go.
It’s a massive slog up Carl Side and onto Skiddaw. I stop more than once for a breather, limiting myself to 30 seconds each time. It seems to take an age. The views from the top in the evening light are stunning, definitely worth the effort, a just reward. 5 miles to go, and it’s all downhill! A quick blast down the main path, legs just about holding out and I’m soon running through Fitz Park heading back to the posh hotel and the finish. I take the hotel steps in a single bound, before marching through the hotel reception areas, passing Al a carte diners in the restaurant to finish at 8.36pm.
I spend some time chatting to the Wharfedale guys and the event organisers before heading home. Driving back through the central lakes, the sun is setting. Casting a huge orange light over the mountains. I reflect on what a top day out I’ve had. Sunrise to sunset in one of my favourite places to run. The 10 Peaks Challenge is a tremendous event. Well organised with a great spirit. If you are looking to do an endurance event I heartily recommend it. www.10peaks.com Oh yes and you get a cool T shirt and a “survivors” medal!
Andy Ellwood