The 46th running of this classic race took place on Saturday 10th July.This race is run on a handicap system with start times spread over 6 hours in the hope that everyone will finish between 3:00 - 5:00. I had initially entered a conservative estimated completion time of 9:30 due to the exertions a fortnight before at the Coxwold ultra,but my running companions Annette Clarke and Charlie Bogg persuaded me to alter it to their estimated time of  8:30,obviously enjoy beasting an old man over 40 miles of moorland track.

So at 7:30 on a beautiful summers morning we set off from Lyke Wake stone at the sheepwash car park even at that early hour we were sweating on the first climb.The forecast was for 26 degrees in the afternoon so we decided to try and give the first half of the race,which is the easiest,a right go.

Most people who are new to the race follow the well signposted clear track over Live Moor to the first checkpoint at six miles at Carlton Bank.

However there is an alternative path which avoids some 400 feet of climbing which goes through the woods to the North.This is not a clear track and care is needed This is not considered cheating as all that is required re the route is hit all the six checkpoints how you do that is up to the individual.We had 6 others who started at 7:30 who stuck to us like glue for the fist 12 miles after then they flew past us certain they were not sure of the route.However we did manage to catch them later in the day,slowly slowly catchy monkey.
Met at Carlton Bank by Commander  in Charge of Support,John Clarke,refilled water bottles,scoffed bannanas,flapjacks, mars bars etc.
The next four miles to checkpoint 2 at Clay Bank afforded wonderfull views to the north they reckon on a real clear day you can see Penshaw Monument in Maccam land.Pity about the crap at the mouth of the Tees.

Just before you hit the road at Clay Bank there are a 100 yard stretch of steep stone steps which I nearly completed in horizontal mode.
As the next checkpoint is nearly ten miles away checkpoint 2 is a major refuelling point so more bannanas,flapjacks mars bars etc are consumed.After the sharp climb onto Urra Moor this section to the Lion Inn at Blakey Ridge is the most runable with good wide level tracks and 5.5 miles on the old railway line.Therefore you can really get in the groove and go along at a good lick.However not heeding the warning on my first trip down to Clay Bank after approx a mile of the railway line went for a real dive which included one somersault two twists in the pike position.Team members obeyed the first rule of trail running,do not laugh when a running buddy hits the deck.Several expletives later all seemed in order and we bashed on.
 
Two miles from checkpoint 3, The Lion Inn at Blakey Ridge, Charlie was starting to feel a thigh strain C in C support wanting to stretch his legs had ran down from the pub to meet us and was dispatched to find suitable drugs which would beat the dope tester at the finish.Checkpoint three at 19.5 miles was reached in a cracking 3:10. 

This checkpoint provides as much rice pudding and fresh fruit as you can eat wonderfull stuff,Charlie substituting pain killers for the fruit.Fortunately although very warm the heatwave failed to appear as cloud cover replaced the clear blue skies at the start.In previous years after a boring road section the 6 miles to the next checkpoint at Hamer has been horrendous with path disappearing into horrendous bogs,not unknown for the unwary to end up thigh deep in black glue.Not so this year with consistant dry weather we did not even get our feet wet.In parts it was like running on trampoline the peat being so springy.

More of the same stuff consumed at checkpoint 4 and onward to find the Blue Man in the Moss which is approx halfway to the next checkpoint at Stape.The 3 miles from the aforementioned BM  in the M to checkpoint 5 is in short bloody horrible.The path is narrow in heather and stoney which although runable  you cannot get into any rhythm and you have to concentrate to watch for the big rocks.I went down again followed shortly after by Annette with a perfect belly flop,degree of difficulty 3.9,the first rule still being obeyed.
More rations consumed,more drugs for Charlie,the next 3.5 miles to Checkpoint 6 Ellerbeck,apart from the short climbs out of Wheeldaleand Ellerbeck beck,consists of good runable tracks.After being on the deck twice and covered in dust  was keen to have a wash at the Wheeldale beck crossing,so opened a gap on the descent so not to hold up the others.Unfortunately chose to step one of the moss covered rocks and ended up flat on my back in the middle of the beck,much to the amusement of others,obviously rule 1 does not apply when confronted with an old git sitting in a beck.At least it cooled me down.
 
Checkpoint 6 comes and goes,bannanas are in short supply so its mars bars to the fore as we head for the last checkpoint at Jugger Howe.We are now starting to pass a number of the earlier starters a good sign we are still going well,although we are reduced to walking on the long uphill slog through the heather to Lilla Cross the highpoint on this section.At last with six miles to go  we can see the fabled radio mast at Ravenscar which is approx half a mile from the finish.

Perhaps all this euphoria upsets my spacial awareness and I hit the deck a further twice before we tackle the deep ravine in and out of Jugger Beck.Watches are consulted and a quick calculation concludes that if we give the last three miles a go we can duck under 8 hours.Unfortunately this last climb has finally goosed Charlies thigh and he persuades us to leave him,satisfied there is nothing hiding in the heather that is picking of stragglers,two of us pick up the pace to the final checkpoint.Great to be welcomed by two Quakers,Wendy and Mark Colling,manning the checkpoint.On reaching the checkpoint Annette's nursing professional instincts kick in,either that or she is knackered, as she decides to wait for Charlie.I grab a handfull of jelly babies and head  for the radio mast which as everyone knows who has run/walk this route never gets any nearer.

At last all that is left is the downhill stretch to the finish I  pass a further two who are in more trouble than me and thank kindly the masochist who makes us run  uphill in the hotel grounds to the finish line.Welcomed over the line by a further two Quakers,Anthony Corbert and Stuart Lynn who are part of the team of marshalls sorting certificates,tee shirts etc and yes beer.

Came in 15th with  7:51,Annette and Charlie with a second wind equal 16th in  7:58.
 
This is a cracking race that deserves more support.This year 82 entered,10 failed to start and 15 did not make to the end.

• Great value for money at half the cost of most marathons
• All the checkpoints offer smiling faces and suitable refreshments.
• Certainly a challenge but well worth all the effort.
• Next running Sat 9th July 2011.