LDWA South Pennine 24 - Full report and pics
9:32pm, 26th Feb 2023 | South Pennine 24 | 4 Comments
Blog by cackleberry
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I've had time to eat and sleep since yesterday, so hopefully I can write something more coherent!
A 5am alarm is never a welcome sound, however I had pre-prepped and packed everything so I only needed to get dressed and make a brew before heading out the door by 6am. Google Maps had suggested it would take me 2 hours to get to Dovestone Reservoir, but as it was so early the roads were quiet and it only took 1.5 hours.
It was cold, the car thermometer said just 1 degree C as I drove over Saddleworth Moor. I was glad I had all my winter gear. After parking, I got some second breakfast at the Sailing Club. This event is different (to me at least) in that there is no mass start, you set off when you are ready between 8am and 9am. I was planning to set off at half 8.
After a bit of faffing and yet another pain au chocolat, my nerves were getting the better of me and I left at 8:23am.
It was strange, setting off alone. I have never been here before, nor been anywhere on the route before, this was all totally new and the adrenaline was running high. I set off like a (relative) rocket, but half a mile in the first big climb began! I had already caught up/overtaken some others and felt less alone
The ground underfoot was partly frozen, so had a strange granular texture, which is better than ankle deep slop! It was very rocky, then frozen bog, narrow etc and barely runnable at all. I allowed myself to dawdle as the first CP didn't open til 09:15am.
The route followed the edge of Dish Stone Moss, part of Saddleworth Moor. The views were extensive and beautifully desolate. Thankfully, the weather was fine. Yes it was cold and quite breezy but it was clear and dry. Perfect for Feb.
I reached the first CP at Chew Reservoir and had a couple of chocolatey snacks. Part of my race plan was to ensure I ate 'something' at each checkpoint as I still struggle with eating enough.
We followed an un-named stream across Laddow Moss to eventually descend steeply down the side of Laddow Rocks. A few, more nimble runners overtook, the ground underfoot still frustrating. The tarmac leading into CP 2 at Crowden was almost a relief! Here there were crisps, KitKats and cheese rolls, I had a roll but only ate half.
Down off the moor, it was much warmer but still a bit windy, the wind whipping off the water as we ran along the side of Torside Res, Rhodeswood Res, Valehouse Res and finally Bottoms Reservoir.
No idea which of those this is!
It felt strange running through residential streets as we came into the next CP at St Mary's Church in Hollingworth. I had promised myself a cup of tea here, which I had along with a bag of cheese and onion crisps! Drank that as I walked up the next hill. This zig zagged along farm tracks and lanes to eventually reach Wild Bank Hill (a new top and trig point ) before passing onto Hollingworthhall Moor.
A lovely long grassy descent to Higher Swineshaw Res followed, nice easy running! Immediately followed by another long climb over Turf Pits and then down to the outskirts of Carrbrook to find CP in the bowling pavilion! There was thankfully a sign on the gate as I nearly missed it. I had a piece of scone and a Jellybaby here.
Last leg now, along the Pennine Bridleway and then the Oldham Way. Rough stony tracks that went on FOREVER as rough stony tracks tend to. Somewhere along here, we experienced a snow flurry. Enough to make you think about the waterproofs in your pack, but by then it's stopped again.
At last, turned off onto Bradley Lane a grass track which became metalled and led all the way back to the Sailing Club.
I stumbled into the warmth of the Club and surrendered my tally to finish the run!
I had done the 23.7 mile route in 6hours and 9mins. A little slower than I had wanted, but the first third was very tricky underfoot. I had two bowls of soup and chatted with strangers at the mixed tables.
The route was good, beautiful and desolate in parts. The route description good, I had hoped for this to be test of my navigation skills, but despite setting off alone, there were enough people about to not really need to nav much. I ate at each CP as planned so no bonking or grumpy bits. Overall really enjoyed it.
It snowed again as I got changed at the car, ready for the long drive home. Thankfully no cramp!
A 5am alarm is never a welcome sound, however I had pre-prepped and packed everything so I only needed to get dressed and make a brew before heading out the door by 6am. Google Maps had suggested it would take me 2 hours to get to Dovestone Reservoir, but as it was so early the roads were quiet and it only took 1.5 hours.
It was cold, the car thermometer said just 1 degree C as I drove over Saddleworth Moor. I was glad I had all my winter gear. After parking, I got some second breakfast at the Sailing Club. This event is different (to me at least) in that there is no mass start, you set off when you are ready between 8am and 9am. I was planning to set off at half 8.
After a bit of faffing and yet another pain au chocolat, my nerves were getting the better of me and I left at 8:23am.
It was strange, setting off alone. I have never been here before, nor been anywhere on the route before, this was all totally new and the adrenaline was running high. I set off like a (relative) rocket, but half a mile in the first big climb began! I had already caught up/overtaken some others and felt less alone
The ground underfoot was partly frozen, so had a strange granular texture, which is better than ankle deep slop! It was very rocky, then frozen bog, narrow etc and barely runnable at all. I allowed myself to dawdle as the first CP didn't open til 09:15am.
The route followed the edge of Dish Stone Moss, part of Saddleworth Moor. The views were extensive and beautifully desolate. Thankfully, the weather was fine. Yes it was cold and quite breezy but it was clear and dry. Perfect for Feb.
I reached the first CP at Chew Reservoir and had a couple of chocolatey snacks. Part of my race plan was to ensure I ate 'something' at each checkpoint as I still struggle with eating enough.
We followed an un-named stream across Laddow Moss to eventually descend steeply down the side of Laddow Rocks. A few, more nimble runners overtook, the ground underfoot still frustrating. The tarmac leading into CP 2 at Crowden was almost a relief! Here there were crisps, KitKats and cheese rolls, I had a roll but only ate half.
Down off the moor, it was much warmer but still a bit windy, the wind whipping off the water as we ran along the side of Torside Res, Rhodeswood Res, Valehouse Res and finally Bottoms Reservoir.
No idea which of those this is!
It felt strange running through residential streets as we came into the next CP at St Mary's Church in Hollingworth. I had promised myself a cup of tea here, which I had along with a bag of cheese and onion crisps! Drank that as I walked up the next hill. This zig zagged along farm tracks and lanes to eventually reach Wild Bank Hill (a new top and trig point
) before passing onto Hollingworthhall Moor. A lovely long grassy descent to Higher Swineshaw Res followed, nice easy running! Immediately followed by another long climb over Turf Pits and then down to the outskirts of Carrbrook to find CP in the bowling pavilion! There was thankfully a sign on the gate as I nearly missed it. I had a piece of scone and a Jellybaby here.
Last leg now, along the Pennine Bridleway and then the Oldham Way. Rough stony tracks that went on FOREVER as rough stony tracks tend to. Somewhere along here, we experienced a snow flurry. Enough to make you think about the waterproofs in your pack, but by then it's stopped again.
At last, turned off onto Bradley Lane a grass track which became metalled and led all the way back to the Sailing Club.
I stumbled into the warmth of the Club and surrendered my tally to finish the run!
I had done the 23.7 mile route in 6hours and 9mins. A little slower than I had wanted, but the first third was very tricky underfoot. I had two bowls of soup and chatted with strangers at the mixed tables.
The route was good, beautiful and desolate in parts. The route description good, I had hoped for this to be test of my navigation skills, but despite setting off alone, there were enough people about to not really need to nav much. I ate at each CP as planned so no bonking or grumpy bits. Overall really enjoyed it.
It snowed again as I got changed at the car, ready for the long drive home. Thankfully no cramp!
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