It’s been a funny winter but the Calderdale Hike has a habit of serving up some random weather conditions - hail/snow/sun/wind...possibly all on the same day! Just 3 days before the race I was trotting over Derwent Edge and there was still snow lying on the ground. Anyway, I arrived at Sowerby Cricket Club this April under clear blue skies looking forward to a good day out. The walkers has already set off but it looked like another good turnout from the runners as there were plenty of people pottering about, fiddling with kit and getting their excuses in. The route changes bi-annually so I was hoping I’d remember all the good lines and paths I’d recced last year. All this was blown however after 10 seconds as I got carried away bombing down the cricket club drive, forgetting the sneaky route round the back. Sure enough, the half-dozen ‘in the know’ runners were ahead on the steep road down to the canal at Luddenden Foot and where we followed the towpath for a while - the pace probably too quick, but it was all good fun after less than 2 miles! After stretching your legs on this section everyone slows as we climb through some typical Calderdale paths up towards Midgely Moor and the second checkpoint at Crow Hill Nook. The ground was soft with some boggy sections encouraging you to skip across the moorland on fresh legs, the leaders were probably setting a quick pace down to the Keighley Road checkpoint but I was happily settled in a pack of 8 or so runners, including eventual ladies winner Sarah Rowell. The route then took us over to Walshaw. I have bad memories of this checkpoint after 2008 when I accidentally arrived there only to be greeted with “this is the short route mate, you should be over at Widdop” – what a complete berk! This year however it was on the route (both routes actually) and it from here there’s the start of some nice running over towards the reservoir at Widdop. The sun was getting up by this point and the road up to the checkpoint is one of those annoying gradients that is just about runnable so you generally arrive feeling a bit knackered. Over towards Long Causeway next via Cant Clough reservoir which provides a choice of route – either stay on the right side on the nice trail and cross the dam on the same route as the Howarth Hobble or go left as I did which is more direct but underfoot was a soft. Long Causeway was basking in sunshine and the marshals here, as they were at every checkpoint, were suitably chipper doling out drinks, jelly babies and custard creams (no doubt this is what Haile Gebrselassie is knocking back when he’s running a 2hr marathon!)
I’m not sure on the optimal route down from here to Holme Chapel but I fudged a direct route through Green Clough and somehow seemed to arrive at the little church hall ahead of the runners I left the last checkpoint with. This is one of the great things about these races, you really can gain places (and a psychological advantage) with some savvy map reading/recceing. Thievely Pike’s provides tough climb out of Holme Chapel and I was passing plenty of the quicker long walkers at this point. I’ve made the mistake in the past of underestimating the walkers – they’re no slouches and they take great delight in cracking up climbs like this pretty damn quickly. I tried the old ‘I’m not out of breath or knackered’ look at the trig’ point before staggering off and regaining some pep in my legs over towards the road on Slate Pit Hill. The next section is a real cracker on the route as you sweep round above Inchfield Moor on a track, great perfect for a steady jog. After the checkpoint you drop down into Walsden where there’s plenty of folk staring at your funny gait and shouting encouragement – “keep going lad, you’re almost done” (not quite true) and “you look like your could do with a pint son!” (very true). After clipping in at the canal I started to feel the effects of the sun on the section over to Lumbutts and it was an effort just to keep it going along this section. Fortunately, when I arrived at the rather picturesque church checkpoint I was surprised to see some other runners struggling in the heat too. I know it’s cruel but I’ve got to say I felt an awful lot better to see someone else having a rough time! I set off up Stoodley Pike with Colm McCoy which is the last serious climb of the race. You have to pick your way through families on weekend walks, mountain bikers and casual runners up this popular section but it’s popular for a reason – the views over Calderdale are cracking and on a day like this there are few places better. The long and short route have re-merged again at this point and as a result the run down to the reservoirs at Withins Clough was busy but is an opportunity for those with something left in their legs to get some pace up and really make up time. A swift stop at the checkpoint after the ever-patient Colm told me to “get a bloody move on” and I could smell the finish. The climb after Crag Vale was a bit dispiriting but alongside Tim Whittaker I dug in and we arrived at the final checkpoint looking forward to a steady run in. The front-runners must race along this last section at a fair clip but we ground out a steady pace and soon enough Sowerby church came into view and we were greeted with warm applause from all the finishers who were relaxing on the cricket pitch. We joined them as more runners arrived, each having completed a tough but thoroughly enjoyable event in one of the nicest areas to run in the country.
The eventual winner was Jon Morgan, followed by Mark Hartell and last year’s winner Martin Beale. Sarah Rowell was the first lady back, continuing her impressive form. Thanks to the organisers for their efforts and hopefully we’ll see a similarly good turn out in 2011 for another great day out in Calderdale.
