Not a great forecast but Russ, Kath and I head over to Kettlewell to recce leg 2. This is a 'pairs' leg and is 9 miles with 2,500' ascent. Both Russ and Kath are running this leg (in their respective teams) on Saturday.
Kettlewell is a charming little village nestled in the Dales. It is raining hard when arrive and windy, this only gets worse as the day progresses.
We head North from the village up a steep, limestone track (Top Mere Track) as far as the Starbottom Track; we then follow this downhill to the village before a steep climb back out on the Walden Road. After a while the track degenerates and the going gets wetter and boggier. We are soon in the mist, the wind picks up and the rain is persistent.
We follow this as far as a boundary stone (a checkpoint on race day) and then back down, crossing Top Mere Top, to rejoin Top Mere Road. Good running leads us back to the village although the last half mile on the track is rough going.
Back at the car we get changed and enjoy coffee and cakes and, on the way home, are desperate for food so stop in Kirkby Lonsdale for bacon and egg rolls.
A good day out.
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