Fairholmes ‘Long Cakes’ Night Race

Westgate hits the podium!
On a dark night, when visibility tested runners in their own backyard Ian Winterburn and Dave Taylor had a good lead on the chase,but star of the night was young Tom whose route choice and navigational skills brought him home in 3rd place. Getting to Cogman wasn't easy-as witness a message at the finish from Phil Crowson which said 'got lost on Wellhead moor'-it was written on the back of a Practise Writing Book.
Although most of the field did get to the cabin-Will Spain chose to visit Poynton bog before, and after, the cabin as he descended past runners crawling up the hill from the check point.
More fun was to be had as visibility dropped to 10 yds (it'll only be 9 metres next year, according to the FRA), with the Cakes looming up before your very eyes. Crossing the stream usually requires a stiff climb and off but with the check point on the far right some un-named runners appeared to spurn the chosen fence with a similar one further left [see Willy's track for evidence, of a kind, and assorted other comedy variations on the ideal line]?
The race organiser felt pleased to leave the last but one c.p and pushed the compass away, only to spin round to see torches coming up the hill and visited the top of Pike Low just for old times sake.
The race still had more twists to come as Steph ,having left Kirsty and Rachel, turned right at Ladybower and set off North-bound for slippery stones-before the situation was remedied.

Now everyone is clear !!! of the route safe to say next year we will cross Abbey brook and stay clear of that nasty, paving slab, path-taking an anti-clockwise excursion.

Andy