‘Twas a couple of weeks ago now – a handful of Carnethies journeyed down south to do the Trigger race: Marsden to Edale along parts of the Pennine Way. We didn’t all make it to the start line thanks to a pre-dawn snow-based mishap on the Woodhead Pass, but John Ryan did get across the fell in time to give Konrad, Alex McVey and me a cheer as we passed. Conditions weren’t cruel, the wind went easy on us this year, and the sun even spoilt us towards the end. Not for long for Konrad though, as he finished an impressive 2nd in 3h41, having run alongside the eventual winner Nic Barber (Pennine) for much of the way. I stumbled in to the finish after about 4hrs, having burnt all my powder a bit too quickly. Alex took the slightly slower but far more stylish route choice off Kinder Scout, and was down in 4h14. First woman was Nicky Spinks, also doubling as race organiser, in 4h18. A superb winter long race, well worth the journey, with cheery marshals from the local Mountain Rescue Team (for whom the race raises money) and plenty of soup, cake and blether at the end.
Race website: http://www.marsdentoedale.co.uk/
Nic Barber’s blog report: http://localheroesfr.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/race-report-marsden-to-edale-trigger-10.html
Jon Ascroft