2016 Championship - Race 4 - Holcombe Two Towers Fell Race

With a 5.30pm dart from Manchester in the diary and Deansgate Locks agreed as the meeting point from which I would jump into a car with Steven Henderson and head towards Holcombe Brook, I found myself awkwardly loitering whilst awaiting his arrival. Armed with the knowledge that a fellow runner by the name of Jane was to be joining us and finding myself within two yards of a 'potential Jane', I made the decision to introduce with a rather awkward 'Hi, are you Jane'? Thankfully, 'potential Jane' was 'runner Jane (Thomas)' and by the time formal introductions had taken place (intertwined with several apologies for the original opening line), we were on our way. Traffic turned out to be relatively kind and we found ourselves at the Hare and Hounds pub in Holcombe Brook with plenty of time to register, change and gaze upwards towards the upcoming challenge.

The 'Two Towers Fell Race' is pitched as a 4 mile / 400m climb event. How hard can a 4 mile run be...?

Six soon to be familiar faces huddled at the start as Nicola Deeran / Hannah Grant (Deloitte EBITDArlings) and Helen Charlesworth (BDO Darts) joined the race party ahead of kick –off. Unfortunately there was no time to find the others (Fran Whittle and Tim Hayle) as with a very simple '3,2,1...go' from the race organisers, we were on our way!

The run started with a lung busting, near vertical climb through forestry prompting a single line and relatively cautious approach to the initial phase of the race. Within a few metres of ascent, Steven and Jane were out of site (presumably via a little known short cut), whilst the rest of us marched merrily towards the top of the hill. I quickly found myself adopting a run / trudge approach which seemed popular with many of the athletes now surrounding me as we approached the Tower for the first time.

Despite starting the race mid pack and the single file nature of the opening sequence, a quick glance over my shoulder revealed there to be very few runners remaining. Presumably, 50% of the field failed to make it beyond the first climb. Now realising that I was among an elite group, I renewed focus and broke into a steady jog towards Pilgrims Cross.

Much like the Duke of York, the race organisers soon had us marching back down the hill. The course attendants cries of encouragement proved a helpful tool as we navigated our way down to the base of the hill, avoiding any hospital inducing falls along the way. From the base, another long 'Ascent' (David - you're welcome) back to the tower. Finding myself clutching at the grass to remain stable and on a hill steep enough to abseil, this wasn't the easiest moment of the night, but at last, the final hill was conquered. From here, a long downhill stretch was the reward for our previous endeavours. I had traversed much of the course within shooting distance of Nicola Deeran and in keeping with this, we crossed the line at the same time and with Hannah Grant very much on our heels.

A quick group picture (see attached, sorry for missing some of you) and back to our respective homes. A very good, well organised and thoroughly enjoyable event.

Well done to those who took part and a very sincere thank you to those who didn't - I managed to claim some much needed championship points.

Our results were as follows:

Ladies

1. Jane Thomas – 47:28 – 43rd overall – 20 points

2. Helen Charlesworth – 56:29 – 68th overall – 18 points

3. Fran Whittle – 59:49 – 71st overall – 16 points

4. Nicola Deeran – 1:06:04 – 75th overall – 14 points

5. Hannah Grant – 1:11:23 – 76th – 12 points

Men

1. Steven Henderson – 40:03 – 11th overall – 20 points

2. Tim Hayle – 49:56 – 53rd overall – 18 points

3. Christian Fell – 1:06:04 – 74th overall – 16 points