Boz’s Birthday Run

Boz's Birthday Run on Sat 24th Feb 2024

Another glorious day for it after the beautiful summer evening race last June, following the postponed inaugural race last year, remembering that the planned race in Feb '23 was postponed due to snow! Clear blue skies with a slight cloud inversion on the Edale side.

 A small but spritely field toed the line for the second running and the first in the correct position in the calender.  We had two early starters in Dave S and Steve while the rest of us headed off in the main start.  Almost immediately three distinct races began to emerge.  Tom S and Fin at the sharp end, followed swiftly by Tom B, Neil and Josh, while Rich B, James H and myself took up the rear.  But as it happened Ian C started late as he ran in from Yorkshire bridge to extend his run while tripping to the Peak District.

 I can't speak for the front 5 in terms of their races and how they played out other than that there were plenty of smiles at the finish.  Tom and Fin came in first equal having run round together only a couple of minutes outside Tom's time for last summer (1:17:40).  Tom B took vet honors getting in ahead of Neil and Josh while Rich and I followed 5 minutes after Josh

 After the first running when there was a large variety of route options taken, this time saw very few route options outside of Tom's route from last year.

 Rich, James and I had our own mini race if you will.  Staying together till Crowden until Rich and I split for the climb out.  James followed my route but was slightly behind as we'd pulled away when he stopped for a comfort break.  This proved costly for James as he went walkabout on the crossing back to Blackden adding twenty minutes on top of Rich and my times.  I managed to put a little distance between myself and Rich on the climb out and planned to try and sneak further ahead on the crossing only to glance over my shoulder to find he'd snuck up on me.  I then managed to pull ahead again as we dropped off the edge to where I thought I'd built up enough of a lead to take the scalp, only for him to pop up again at which point we ran in together.  I was certain he was toying with me and let me win on my birthday!  Only consolation for me was he said he'd had to work hard to catch me!

 A fab morning out was had by all.

 Refreshments and a debrief were enjoyed in the Yorkshire Bridge afterwards.

Glen Borrell