On a weekend packed with running opportunities (Three Peaks, Highlander, London Marathon, Highland Fling), Konrad and I took part in The Fellsman, a 60 mile race over the Yorkshire Dales. The route runs from Ingleton to Threshfield, largely on paths and open moorland, climbing 11,000 feet in the process. Having witnessed Konrad’s previous runs in the event, I was both excited (anticipating the legendary bean stew at Fleet Moss, amongst other things), and daunted (having myself run a maximum of 47 miles in the past, which was the year we got lost and ran an extended version of the High Peak Marathon). With no idea how to pace myself, I set off enthusiastically along with 374 other waterproof-clad runners, to the first summit of the day, Ingleborough. Having reached this in good time, I stretched out to start the descent and promptly tripped over a rock, earning myself several grazes, a bruised ankle, and a bloody leg (which was washed off reasonably promptly by the incessant rain).
Adam Perry (the eventual winner) charged off at the start, setting an incredible pace which nobody could match. Behind him, a chasing group formed on the climb up Whernside, which included Jezz Bragg (former 3 times winner of the Fellsman), Konrad, and I. We clearly ran the first third of the race too fast, as we arrived at Dent ‘too early’ for sausage rolls…. Making do with biscuits, we started the climb up Blea Moor, where Jezz pushed on, leaving me running with Konrad as a pair. In his excellent company (and with his navigational assistance!), we traversed the next few hills, enduring ever worsening conditions (rain becoming snow, and then blizzard). Thankfully things picked up at Fleet Moss in time for crossing the open moor. I ran this section whilst consuming a cup of rice pudding (it turns out that this is quite an art, involving a very precise period of tilting before a rapid gulp), which helped to take my mind off ever-tiring legs. We arrived at Park Rash (the last checkpoint at which one can get ‘grouped’ with other runners for running through the night) with 90 minutes to spare before the 7.30 pm cut off. As we started the final ascent of Great Whernside, Konrad spotted a figure in black on the slopes below us. Fearing this to be a chasing runner, he sped off (with my blessing), leaving me to navigate the final few legs unattended. I managed this, albeit at a slightly slower pace, enjoying what had turned into a very nice evening. Setting off down the road from Yarnbury I hoped for a gentle jog to the finish, but to my dismay I spotted a black clad figure running fast along the road behind me. I dug in, and sprinted the final few kilometers (cursing Konrad for not telling me about the final climb!), to finish in 4th place overall, and 1st lady, in 11 hours 10 minutes (a new female record by 41 minutes). Konrad had a great run (and could no doubt have been even faster if he hadn’t gallantly stuck with me for so long) finishing in 10 hours 57 minutes. Ironically, the feared ‘runner in black’ never arrived; the next finisher came in 40 minutes later, wearing blue…..
Interviews and pictures can be found here:
http://www.grough.co.uk/magazine/2015/04/27/adam-perry-posts-third-fellsman-win-as-jasmin-paris-sets-new-womens-record
Jasmin Paris