Summer Series (4)

Summer Series (4) on Mon 5th Jun 2017

11 brave or some may say daft souls set off round the Birchin Clough summer series race 4 in winter conditions - strong wind, rain and excessive moisture in the air. Right from the start it was obvious that Ralph Skrimshire and Pete Davis were going to contest the title as neither were seen after about 5 mins. The route from Fairbrook Naze to the stream junction is always interesting, with those who could keep up deciding to follow Jim Paxman, who despite a successful Tranter Round at the weekend was moving rather well. People kept disappearing from view as they fell down the many heather hidden potholes together with the odd quagmire coated in sphagnum moss for disguise! From the stream junction most runners appeared to go for the safe route i.e. down the track and around; this was quite unusual as the race was much earlier in the series and so they would not have to fight with head height bracken on the up-and-over. However, many fell foul of what seemed an easier route by finding themselves at The Snake Inn and having to re-track their steps as in true Fell runner etiquette running up the road was just not seen as "being British" - or was it because they knew I would call a Stewards enquiry and disqualify them because they beat me? Whilst they got back on track some or the more intellectually challenged navigators i.e. me, upon seeing them on the otherside of the river decided to wade the river and then go back across it over the bridge and run up Ashop Clough.

Keith