Paddy’s Pole Fell Race

Tuesday 6th June 2006 (4.5m/1100ft)

MARTIN’S RACE RATINGS:

Overall Score: 59/60

Scenery: 11!!! It’s a Mecca for gliders, paragliders and microlights. Great views of the surrounding countryside and only 30/40 minutes from Cleveleys.

 

PB potential: 9 Good. Dry on top and no wind. It was that nice, we didn’t have to wear bum bags!

 

Atmosphere: 9 Good. Nigel Shepherd, Michaela and Helen Jolly all shouting encouragement and forty odd more runners than last year though only one runner from each local club, though I’ll forgive Richard Davies for reneging (he did a 20 mile fell race at weekend). And Steve Littler had to buy some flip flops for Germany. And George “I hate hills” Kennedy was working till 6:30.

 

Organisation 10 (faultless) two portaloos!! And the down hill finish, we were sent down a different gully following a set of flags. Showers and results at Chipping Community Centre. The race is organised by Preston Harriers and they had hardly any runners running as they were either giving out numbers or marshalling.

 

Value: 10 - £3 to enter and pie and peas for afters

 

Beginner Friendly: 10. A great fell to start on. The climb starts straight away, but I suspect, winner, Simon Thompson, was the only one running this bit! 

 

Driving down I felt like falling asleep and not sure if I’d have gone if I hadn’t told Nigel Shepherd I was going. I hadn’t run well in yesterday’s handicap and I opted for Paddy’s Pole ahead of the Codale Horseshoe, as I didn’t feel fit enough for Codale. I’ve already conceded the Competitive Miles to Pete Cruse! Pete wasn’t here today. He’d got a dubious excuse and I think he’s running scared - (of the better fell runner)!!

 

I got there in plenty of time and Michaela set off walking to the summit. I exchanged ‘broken arm’ stories with a Skelmersdale Runner. He broke his arm on Fairfield. He was still in plaster and hadn’t missed a days training!!

 

Unlike a Ron McAndrew race, the race set off on time! (Sorry Ron, only joking). There’s virtually no jostling for positions as fell runners seem to instinctively know their place, - (unlike a certain Blackpool runner seen on the start line of every single race he’s ever done!!)

 

The race starts on the road for 200 yards, then onto the Fell. After only 50 yards, you leave the path and it’s hands on quads and everyone was walking! We reached the plateau and we could start running again till we came to a stile! Apart from the first bit, it’s all runnable though quite narrow tracks, but easy enough to overtake if you are feeling frisky!

There seemed to be quite a few Paddy novices, but route finding isn’t a problem. I was holding my own and overtook the odd runner, until we hit the summit and a few started going past on the gradual/uneven descent. I saw a glider in the corner of my eye at the same height as myself and it seemed to be hovering almost ‘Kestrel like’, as if it had spotted a tasty mouse below and was preparing to pounce. Over a couple of stiles and I could see Tony Codling (NF) for the first time. I knew it wasn’t long to go and I wondered if he was struggling because I hadn’t speeded up. We hit the final checkpoint and started the steep descent. We didn’t go the usual way down, (which I know really well), and were directed down a better route, but Tony maintained his gap. I think Tony was 66th, so I was possibly 69th (41:41) which would have made us about half way. Tony is way in front in the North Fylde Fell Championship, but isn’t that a bit like the American World Baseball Series?

 

I was pleased and felt I’d run better than yesterday. Funny game running! When you feel like your going to have a stormer, you have a nightmare!

 

I had my obligatory pie and peas at the Community Centre and went home via Guys, (full of smelly farmers), and The Cartford. We both had a really good night

 

Written by: Martin Bates

Submitted: 7th June 2006

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Website/Magazine Editor