With all the ultra races I had signed up for this year either cancelled or postponed until 2021, it seemed like the opportunity to endure some friendly competition in the “long game” was just not going to happen this year. That is until back in May, when I heard from Oz that there might still be spots available on this year’s Hardmoors 55 ultra that had been postponed from March to end of October, so I quickly obtained an entry in the hope of getting a race-fix this year. I had previously finished the Hardmoors 110 (2019) and Hardwolds 80 (2018), so was confident the Hardmoors team could put on a ‘proper’ race while still being covid-rule compliant and as safe/risk free as feasibly possible. I got my entry accepted and then when October arrived all the talk about second waves, lockdowns, circuit-breakers and local tiers made me wonder if my race plans would be scuppered yet again, but thankfully not.
Despite there being a start-list of approximately 300 runners clever plans had been devised to both register and start us off in separate waves of 6 runners, 2 minutes apart, with the fasted runners (based on your own predicted finish time) starting first to avoid as much close contact and overtaking as possible. You were also told not to be at registration more than 30 minutes before your allotted start time, and no supporters or parking allowed at registration. Well for me anyway, it turned out to be one of the easiest and hassle-free ways to register and start a race – not least thanks to excellent marshalling and runners all appearing to observe the rules to the letter.
With the first 6-pack on their way at 8.00am my pack were off at 8.08am, so that meant initially 24 runners (assuming they had all turned up on the day) in front and 270 behind – so no pressure! Maybe I was deluding myself regarding ability and current fitness – only time would tell. As we escaped Guisborough on the narrow path to join the Cleveland Way we ran straight into a solid head-wind requiring a significant increase in effort to maintain running speed – it appeared the weather forecast was not going to disappoint – high winds followed later by heavy rain was the menu for the day. I rarely run let alone race in a waterproof jacket unless it is tipping it down, but the jacket stayed on for the whole of the race and apart from a few sheltered sections where overheating required a temporary unzipping of the jacket and removal of head-buff I was very much glad of the waterproof top-layer.
Early on I moved into the front 3 of my 6-pack and as we quickly spread out I also picked off a couple of the slower “faster” runners without over-expending effort. As expected high winds were buffeting around the outlying summit of Rosebury Topping, but the real challenge was the long exposed moorland section south to Bloworth Crossing. After the climb up the escarpment and on to the moorland plateau this section is normally very runnable and fast going, but effort-wise it felt more like I was still ascending while on level ground and required a run-walk-repeat approach. Fortunately after Bloworth Crossing the Cleveland Way heads west along a spectacular roller-coaster of hills, so for that stretch effort was largely back to normal as what befits the terrain. This is probably my favourite section of the route and I was able to pick off a few more runners. Checkpoints were spaced roughly 9 miles apart with water and a good stock of snack food available. You were also allowed drop-bags at a specified 3 checkpoints. Checkpoints were well-staffed and all very well organised with plenty of masked marshals, hand-sanitizers and arms-length bottle re-filling, but all done with the usual banter and cheerfulness you expect in a race.
After a bit of a low-energy patch around of the village of Osmotherly I recovered my running mojo on regaining the moorland plateau at Square Cross, but was rewarded with the onset of rain as the cloud clagged-in and the views disappeared. At least by that time the wind had died down to more normal levels, but the rain steadily became heavier with still more than 20 miles to go. Then approaching High Paradise farm I was surprised to meet a familiar face in the shape of Jeff Roberts (York branch of Carnethy HRC) running in the opposite direction. He knew a few local runners in the race and had also seen my name on the start-line, so despite the weather he had nobly turned up to run a few miles just to give a bit of support (race rules allowed for support runners from Square Cross onwards). It was a real boost to have Jeff’s company for a while and as we chatted away and ate up some miles the rain even eased off enough for me to pull my hood down. He told me that last time he looked at the race tracking website I was well up the field and had a good lead in the MV50 category. A quick dose of caffeine from my drop bag at the Sneck Yate checkpoint gave me another boost, so picked off more runners on the way to Sutton Bank, where Jeff turned around to go and give support to his other runners. There was a further boost at the Sutton Bank where my partner Eleanor and Brian (a friend of ours) were there to cheer me on my way down to the White Horse. After the turn around and steep climb back up from White Horse it was only about 9 miles of mostly down-hill and flat if rather boggy terrain to go. I was keen to get to the finish at Helmsely before dark, so that and the increasing chill (my waterproof jacket had ceased to be an effective water barrier) kept me running strong. I was re-passed by one faster runner at Cold Kirby, but got into Helmsely just as it was getting dark. Oh and it had finally mostly stopped raining.
After crossing the line each runner was handed a ticket recording their time and splits plus a T-shirt and medal and that was it – no indoor shelter, food, water, supporters or prize ceremonies. I guess this was the most noticeable difference to pre-covid times. But we all knew that would be the case and I think the Hardmoors team did all they possibly could to safely deliver as close to a normal race experience as possible in very difficult circumstances and made a damn good job of it.
Phil Humphries – 10:01:38, 10th overall (1st Male Vet 50 – trophy in the post?)
David (Oz) Oswald – 12:24:48, 70th overall
Phil Humphries