Great Urban Fell

Great Urban Fell on Sat 24th Mar 2001

The Day of the Urban Virgins

The Great Urban Fell race is rather like one of those ageing rock bands. Despite several "final" events it keeps coming back for a reunion. The die-hard supporters drag their colours (road shoes) out of retirement for one last go and a host of new devotees appear. The result: a record turnout and more fans than ever!

The race is a classic. The format simple: from Noah's Ark visit Shirecliffe Hill, Wincobank Summit, Wardsend Cemetary Bridge, Bole Hill Park corner and back to Noah's Ark. Some ten years or so after the first event no-one can agree on the best route. Indeed, there probably is no "best route". It depends upon your strengths and weaknesses.

The virgins and the die-hards met in about equal measure outside the Noah's Ark in Crookes on a fine March morning. They immediately demonstrated the appeal of the event as the leading "group" of eleven split within half a mile of the start, took radically different routes to Shirecliffe Hill yet arrived 10 seconds apart.

Mark Chapman took the honours at this first checkpoint and maintained his slender (1 second!) advantage after something nearer to a pack run to Wincobank. Every time someone tried an alternative route it seemed to make no difference.

From the Roman Fort with its views of a more modern citadel (Meadowhall) everyone chose their own route with the best part of a mile separating the most northerly and southerly alternative. Yet on reaching the atmospheric setting of Wardsend Bridge 10 of the original 11 were back within one minute of each other.

From there onwards it’s mainly down to brawn and the pack became a very long string as Phil Winskill powered his way up Crookes to claim the first prize, a string of Master Butcher Hayman of Crookes' finest sausages.

In the pub afterwards the sentiment was clearly that this shouldn't be a "final" event. I for one was apprehensive before the event but am firmly looking forward to next year. Maybe it could also be tried as a winter Wednesday night race?

Mike Pedley