Wharmton Dash

Just a fortnight after the GUCR my next race was a 2 mile 'dash' up Wharmton Hill in Saddleworth.  It's a race organised by Saddleworth Runners, but the reason I was there was to help introduce several kids from school into the world of fell running.  Every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 7:15am I run a hill rep session with staff and pupils from Blue Coat on Oldham Edge.  It originated as training session I did with a friend and colleague, Swallow, but we decided to invite some kids along.  Bizarrely, it seemed to catch on with a select few and ever since a hardcore (and a few others...) have braved all conditions at the crack of dawn to, amongst other things; run up and down hills, do sprints, drag tyres and do Tabata.

Our aim was to get the kids enjoying running and what better way to inspire them than the get them all running in a local fell race!  A few kids run track athletics and cross country at school but none do any fell running.  In the end I got 7 kids and one other teacher to come along and take part in what turned out to be a tough 2 miles!  We set off from Churchill Playing Fields in Uppermill in the middle of the Saddleworth Show.  The first hundred metres or so are a fast run out to the road before skipping up some steps and into the severe climb up to the Wharmton mast!  Aaron Platt, one of the AM Mayhem-ers, was leading the pack at the start (!) and I had visions of him romping home 1st but he, like me struggled on the climb.  My legs were still feeling the 145 miles and by the top I was back in 5th place and feeling shattered!  The run straight back down didn't help and I barely stayed on my feet down some slippery steps before hitting the road again.  At this point the route takes you back along the canal and then down to the river where you plough straight through!  The highlight of the race, it took me somewhat by surprise when I was submerged up to my chest at one point!

The AM Mayhem lot loved it behind me (as did the crowd who cheered as each runner plunged into the water!) and it's pretty much all they've talked about since.  I finished a reasonable 5th considering the distance and the proximity to the GUCR...hopefully we'll all be back next year.  In the meantime, I'm on the hunt for the next race to take 'Team Mayhem' to...