Hope Wakes Fell Race 2016

Having been told this was a 'not to be missed' event I was pretty gutted that work had organised an upgrade for me on the evening of this race, but as 5:15 approached I had news that the project had been postponed and my evening was sorted.  Managed to finish what I was doing by twenty past six and as I was in Chesterfield had plenty of time to get across to Hope with 20 minutes to spare.

 

View from the start with the top of Win Hill just peeping out above the farmhouse.

Although it had been raining most of the day the forecast and indeed the weather for the evening was fine, bit of threatening cloud but also some occasional sun.  Six other Belper Harriers who had made the trip were already signed in and warming up amongst the other runners and puddles. No problems with parking and registration was very well organised and quick leaving enough time for warm up and a crucial reccie of the finish.

Quite a bit of tarmac at the start which I'm not a big fan of but the pack was nicely thinned by the time we got onto the fields.
After that its a clockwise run round round with two significant climbs and a fast finish back to the sports ground.

Had finally managed to get some fell shoes which certainly helped through some of the muddier sections especially in the woods where the wet weather had certainly taken its toll and I really warmed to them on the descent where they proved to be very stable.

First incline passed by without too much event before what proved to be quite a long passage through the forest with glimpses of Ladybower reservoir on the left.

Would have been nice to have stopped to take in the view here and on the way up Win Hill, but a quick glance round as we made our way through the heather prompted me to take out the phone.  The going was hard but slow so no time lost in taking a quick photo.  The reward for the hard work in getting to the top was instantaneous with a fantastic view across a sunlit Hope valley.
Route on Endomondo

After that it was all down hill to the finish and unlike my previous outing at Edale, I managed to hold on to my position and even work my way past a few people once we got to the open fields.  Managed to spot the finish before the last couple of stiles and chose to jump the mini ford instead of crossing the wooden bridge.  Having been across it earlier I knew new trainers were nearer to ice skates on the wet wood.

Loved the evening and really enjoyed the route,  would be great for a walk or run.  Hope to be back next year.  Credit to the organisers, marshals and helpers, quick registration and the first set of results seemed to be going up as I finished.