Where Threshfield, North Yorkshire
When June 7, 2008
First Man Andrew Cottier 3:06:08
First Woman Cath Worth 3:40:57
Last Finisher 6:28:25
No. of Finishers 96
Not one for beginners (or PBs), this is a race that runners love to hate. Treacherous ascents, strained facial expressions and ruined calves were the order of the day in this hot and humid 25-miler in the North Yorkshire dales.
Beginning with a steady climb at Great Whernside followed by a quick downhill into Kettlewell, the race soon took a turn for the steep. Running became something the participants remembered fondly as they inched their way up the killer hill.
Not a moment too soon, gravity was finally allowed to play a part, carrying relieved legs down to Arncliffe.
But what goes down must come up, and runners once again began an uphill struggle out of Arncliffe. The stunning Malham Tarn lake was a delightful distraction, followed by a much-welcomed flat section to give some of the other muscles a turn.
Finishing with a slow descent in to the village of Threshfield, the general consensus was that it is certainly not one for the faint-hearted. Maybe not one to choose for your first marathon, but once you run this race, it certainly won’t be your last.
