Race Reporting: Longshaw 2011

Report By Helen Elmore, DPFR and Gritstone Series Winner, 2010.

Its always hard to say which Gritstone series race I like the best (normally the one I have done last, especially if I have had a good race) but Longshaw does have everything: some good fast running but plenty of technical ground, Sheep dog trials and stalls to amuse the kids and the chance to drink beer from the Abbeydale Brewery before lunchtime.

This year, in the men's race Stuart Bond had a rest day thus giving others a chance, including a Texan mystery man, Ryan Smith (well done!), whilst in the womens race I had my normal battle with Steff from Pennine.

As usual Steff made a strong start, making me work hard, but I managed to pull away on the steady climb over Burbage south ( it really helped that this part of the route is one of my favourite training runs). For the rest of the race my main fight was with my good friend and rival Ian Winterburn (Ian-Dark-Peak to those who live on the internet). Ian managed to keep ahead of me until the seemly innocuous finish. A couple of hundred metres of gentle incline back to the race field was cruelly intercepted by a reversing tractor and prior to this I was tempted as we ran past the ice cream van at Padley Gorge.

Judging by the state of the runners as they collapsed over the finishing line that gentle incline was anything but. As usual with these short sharp races runners go from agonising pain and excertion crossing the finish line to happy socialising , banter with friends, scoffing delicious homemade cake and quaffing fine local ale within a remarkably short period of time.

Thanks to Accelerate , the Sheep Dog Trial organisers' and the National Trust for their involvement and all the various marshals and other helpers. This is a race that makes a great first fell race ( short distance, well marked and extremely well marshalled by the most encouraging bunch you will every come across that includes my lovely kids Mia and Eddie) but is technically challenging and fiercely contested enough to keep the more experienced coming back year after year.

Ed: Mr Winterburn, it would appear, is definitely trying to scupper you beating him to the finish line... it was cows, or so I hear, last time?

Helen concentrates on the way ahead... Racing at Castleton 2010.

The 2011 Accelerate Gritstone Series Partners

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