THE SECOND GREYS PIKE FELL RACE - 2007
Ink black crows wheel around the austere
ramparts of Kielder Castle as the runners gather by the old
sandstone walls. Breathing out mist and banging gloved hands
together, there is a hushed expectancy punctuated by nervous
laughter. Sideways glances confirm the presence of old friends
and bitter rivals. The Southern Raiders mingling with athletes
from Wooler, Keswick and Midlothian. Faces drawn, determined.
No defending male champion this year but Karen Robertson
is smiling and confident. Joe Blackett, up from the Dark
Peak, has been out on the course since eleven o’clock
checking the route and conditions with customary meticulous
planning. A few words from Racemaster James and the field
is unleashed. Away down the hill, over the river and off
on the first easy mile. There’s a dash for the front – Coxon,
Horsley, Armstrong, Steel and Jones leading the local challenge.
The caterpillar strings out along the viaduct and then it’s “hands
on knees – through the trees” over and over -
the mantra in time with the muddy footfalls. Slipping and
sliding through sphagnum slurry, the panting chain threads
up through the firebreaks and the snagging branches. Breaking
out onto open ground, the angle eases and gaps in the chain
become bigger. The leaders reach the top and turn back – flying
past their teammates who struggle upwards. Blackett and Horsley
have reached the top first and astonishingly, Will (who was
second last year), stops dead. Does he feel responsible for
the lack of summit marshall? After waiting a while and directing
others, he too heads down after sacrificing a possible winning
position. Coxon is now in second but this position is squandered
after he takes the wrong direction on the descent. The first
of four who follow suit at various times in the race. Maynard
and Steel are fighting for bronze medal position and Relentless
Robertson is well up in the overall classification. A steady
drizzle sets in. Those at the back are walking up to the
trig point as, two miles away, the leaders arrive back along
the river with the iron grey castle coming into sight through
the trees. A final push up the last incline and it’s
all over. Joe Blackett has won, but outside Nick Swinburn’s
record setting time last year. As the runners drip back into
the castle there is concern. Where is Steph? Wasim? The others?
Anxious moments but they all arrive. Wrong routes and slow
times. Back in the castle the Webmaster allocates the spoils.
Smiles all round. 54 started and finished. Relentless is
rewarded, Dexter is 3 places up on last year, and scouts
look to sign up Adrian Brown. The Southern Raiders claim
their prizes, the tea cups are put away and the castle is
left to the crows. The wilderness is pristine again. The
Theatre of Dreams reconvenes in May at the Borderer.
“Stuart Hall”
Dave Hicklenton
(with a nod to John Humble)
... and some photos:
 David Steel powers over the rough terrain |
 Dexter shows Gary Jones the way |
 ... no time for doing business on the phone |
 ... fancy meeting you here! |
all
photos above courtesy of Pat Dunn |
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