Moz’s Birthday Run

Moz's Birthday Run on Sun 6th Jan 2013

A glorious sunny morning with clear blue skies greeted 35 eager runners outside the Nags Head at Edale for the twelfth run of this now classic event. Recent heavy rain gave the prospect of some very wet areas underfoot, so it was unlikely the course record would be challenged.

  The field set off keenly at 11.00am, some taking the zig-zags and some the much steeper more direct line. By the time the participants had reached the Kinder plateau a blanket of thick mist encompassed the area and the clear blue skies were gone! Even my traverse of the so called three minute crossing proved necessary to get the compass out due to diversions caused my deep soggy peat and directional challenge. By the time I reached Seal Stones half the field was through, but that did not stop the remaining half from abusing me for the severity of the climb.

  It was after here that the navigational fun started. One or two cut off the northern path early taking a more direct line crossing numerous groughs. There were reports of people approaching the Kinder Gates from all directions, such as Gavin coming from upstream. Lack of local knowledge then caught several runners out around Crowden in the fog. Tim Tett is now an expert on Crowden Tower and the Woolpacks having visited them three times and eventually tagging on to Kirsty who confidently led him and others to Moz’s Knoll. But the best walkabout was by Tim Hawley and Paul Pycroft, whose gps track is on the website, showing a lengthy excursion along the edge of the Kinder Plateau beyond Pym’s Chair!

  Although, I missed the final winner, Neil Northrop, coming through, between Grindslow Ponds, the runners I did see approached them from quite a few different directions, Kirsty accurately leading a small pack and eventually ending up first lady. I won’t name or shame those that didn’t actually go between the ponds.

  Other strong runs were from Penny and Graham Berry. It was good to back in the pub earlier than usual for me to get some of the banter and stories from the faster runners.

  Many thanks for all of those that turned up on the day and hopefully had a good time and well done! See you again next year.

Moz