The Rosedale and Hamsterley
Marathons
[10-Jul-2014]
Starting
at Rosedale
This is in
Davina Lonsdale, Dave Bradley
and I ran this one. It’s a long journey
and therefore early start to the day.
Once parked up you go to the village hall to collect numbers. At the hall we saw Tony Holland who had a
stall of his company’s running gear.
Unfortunately the numbers getting registered and collecting numbers
meant we couldn’t stand and chat.
Apparently it’s the easiest of the Hardmoors
series, Id guess it will be basing it on times. I found it easier than some off roads I have
done but far more difficult that say Kielder marathon
and the road ones I have done. The
terrain is a mix of crumbly large stoned paths over the moors, mainly uphill;
some very good and firm, flat railway line type wide trails, together with
running through peat bogs. Alas for me
very little of gods own tar macadam to keep me going. This is very well marked route, I did have
spells of being by myself, but it was fairly obvious where to go. I nearly took a wrong turn at a checkpoint
but as I could always see it, I wouldn’t have actually got lost. The weather was damp to start with but warmed
up later on. At the checkpoints, these
were well stocked with water, all had the usual jelly babies etc, the “half
way” point had fruit, nuts, jaffa cakes and chia flap jack bars.
However the main talking point was at one of the later checkpoints where
jam sandwiches and hot dogs were on offer.
I had a huge jam sandwich and I think it took me 3 miles to eat it.
For a fairly severe off road route the kit list wasn’t
excessive. So I could put it all into my
smaller waist bag than my back pack. You
had to take a map and compass. (Knew my
1980 s map reading skills would come in handy one day). I always carry a jacket; it clips around me
and folds up with a belt/whistle so it’s really handy. No lights or long pants were on the list so
they didn’t go.
At the end you run into the village hall, and give your
number. At that point there is
sandwiches, cake, tea, coffee etc for everyone.
The medal and t shirt was quite good too. All in all for £ 20 it was
excellent value, very well marshalled and well signed. It was good and Ill
certainly do it again.
Funniest moment was Davina explaining
that at the top of the hills she was speaking with Adele (who was no doubt in
Hamsterley Marathon
A much “flatter” route than
The knitting club was out in full voice. Davina, Adele,
Julie were added vocally by Susanne. I
hadn’t carried any ear plugs, so opted for a leg it away from them strategy. Susanne was second lady (a week after running
69 miles in a day with “the wall”); the ladies were also 4th, 5th and 6th
ladies. All in the marathon. There were also many club runners doing the
shorter distances on the day. Michael
Butters was doing the marathon distance in preparation for his next Ultra.
Water stations were more than ok; we had two per lap so that’s
6. I didn’t bother to carry a separate
bottle for this. The jelly babies were a
variety Id never tried before, but they were
great. I think I lost a lot of time
eating these!
T shirt at the end was good too.
Well organised and marshalled event by Sedgefield Harriers, about £ 20
for the marathon. Again great value and
closer to home too. The café at the end
is handy. But I have never met such
miserable employees in a place. Would
have been a great idea to replace them for the day!
Interesting one for the Grand Prix next year (11 or 18 mile
option, off road but good underfoot, inexpensive, supports a running club, good
facilities on site, value for money etc).
Ah yes last thing the photographer took 6 photos of the ladies
and none of the chairman. Again a wise
move!
Regards
Iain