So having decided not to run the UTLD 50 which is taking palce today, Kath and I decide to enter the Old Crown Round which also happens to be a Club Championship race.
The style of this race feels relaxed, registration is at the Old Crown pub in Hesket Newmarket and the start time is relaxed and we can set-off anytime from 9am. It's forecast to be a hot day and we look forward to the tipple of beer on each summit (the route visits various North Lakes summits, each of which has a beer brewed after it's name by the Old Crown brewery)....this is much more sensible than running 50 miles and having High 5 at each checkpoint !
But it is not to be underestimated, about 24 miles and over 7,000' of ascent.and some of the terrain is pathless and tussocky. We set off at a good pace up the lane and onto the fells. I choose a higher line than most and this is useful. As we all set-off at different times it is difficult to tell how we are doing but it is to be a relaxed day and one to enjoy.
The first summit is Carrock Fell, a great summit and home to a Roman Fort; we both sample the Carrock Fell beer, very good but a bit early in the day and in the race to be drinking too much beer ! The line of descent from here is not overly clear and there is lot of bracken to negotiate before dropping to the River Caldew.
We then climb steeply, skirting Bowscale Fell and Bannerdale Crags to then climb Foule Crags and then Blencathra, the second checkpoint and a taster of the Blencathra beer ! The checkpoint staff are very friendly and welcoming (perhaps they too have been drinking the beer !).
From here I take a different line to most but I think this proves to be good; we pass the Cloven Stone and drop to again cross the river and join the track to Skiddaw House Youth Hostel; not a checkpoint but a refreshment stop - tea this time....wot no beer !
Then West, over Sale How to climb Skiddaw and again friendly marshalls pouring us beer, no half measures by these guys ! Then familiar BG route, over Hare Crag and onto Great Calva. The next section is familiar to me as Russ and I competed in the Rab MM over this ground some years ago. Onto the Knott and, shock, horror, no beer - the quad bike delivering this took a tumble as did the beer, fortunately the driver was uninjured but the beer did not fare so well :-(
Fast running leads from here to Hike Pike and and more beer, and then Kath, in her usual style, picks
up the pace considerable for the run to the finish; I hang in there and navigate well. We, as usual, go into overtaking mode and finish in good style.
the heat then hits us once we stop and we are desperate to find a river to cool down in and wash off; unfortunately the local river is not flowing, such as the weather has been lately, so we are lucky to find an obliging local who lends us her hose......!!
there is some ambiguity over the timing and results but, undisputed, Kath is first lady and sets a new ladies records - very impressive.
