Driving down from the north in glorious sunshine does little to prepare for the thick fog that blankets the North York Moors on this Sunday morning just gone. The turn out is good with David Parry having attracted another good turn out for his simply and well organized races. Most of the local teams are represented, with NFR having nine runners: Charlie Stead and a late appearing Will Horsley (rugby world cup final to blame), Paul Appleby, Steph Scott, Graham Wilkinson, Matt Simms, Joe Garbarino and the ever speedy Peter Reed, not forgetting myself.
A flat, quick and hard underfoot start over track was underway
in thick clag. Running over the moor was well suited to the
road runners who did well early on. A visit to the castle
ruins (Skelton Tower) headed us back northwards
towards the drop to Newtondale Halt. The short eastward leg
in very dense fog led to many people plodding through thigh
deep heather (including myself and Paul). This led to the
pack being well shuffled!
The drop down to the Halt was okay with warnings given at
the start over the wooden steps (two runners broke ankles
here last year). Some good cross country through the woods
going south then a long drag up to another fast track heading
northwards.
The drop down back to the railway was soft and made for some
good fast descending. A short run by the railway and over
the tracks into an intermittent bog led us home and the final
long steep drag up to the finish at David’s car. Quite
a varied and interesting run, possibly more suited to the
road runners than the true fell aficionados.
The finish was Charlie no 2, Will 27th, Paul, Peter, Phil, Matt, Steph, Joe, and Graham.
Phil Green
