Marathons, Mountains & Meeting Joss
I first ran the Great Langdale Marathon as an unattached runner in 2008. The year after I was back for more, and in 2010 Matt Haworth joined me in a ding-dong fight to the finish. Last year the marathon (and half) race coincided with the TAC bunkhouse weekend, and a plenty of members ran in both races.
Now the Great Langdale Marathon and Half Marathon have become firm fixtures in the club calendar. This year Molly organised for us to camp over at the NT site in Langdale for the weekend, just half a mile from the race start (and a couple of very decent pubs to boot).
We were blessed with glorious weather for the whole weekend, crystal clear blue skies by day but very chilly nights, especially under canvas, with frost forming on the inside of our tents! We sought shelter and solace in the Old Dungeon Ghyll the night before the race, where our new chairman and club captain showed us what carb loading (with ale) was all about!
Some of those not racing had a leisurely trot up The Band to Bowfell where they enjoyed a rare day of amazing view from the summit. In the meantime, new member Steve Turland disappeared at the crack of dawn for a crazy day running over the fells, and Dean braved Hardknott Pass to run the Scafell Pike fell race.
Our race day started with the kids' 1.7-mile fun run from New Dungeon Ghyll to the Old and back. Fell-running legend Joss Naylor was on hand to start the race, and was sticking around to send those in the main events on their way too.
The TAC juniors had a great run with Euan coming in third (though the winner, the same character as last year, looked at least 25!). Patrick finished just behind Euan to claim fourth. Rohan and Daniel also had a good run with plenty left for a lap or two of the finishing field at the end.
As we were all preparing for the main events, Joss came over and started talking to us! We quickly cottoned on to his appearance and were keen to have a chat (I'm sure Chris tried cajoling him into joining the club...) He was a really down-to-earth chap who had plenty of time for us - he even let us take a team photo with him. What a guy!
There was no more delay as we took our places amidst a record field for the joint start of the full and half marathons. I'd managed to squeeze to the front of the pack alongside Matt and Molly before an air-horn signalled the off!
Molly was running the half for the first time (as she'll tell you herself, she doesn't really like road racing) and I knew she'd be running at a similar speed as I would for the full. This proved to be the case and she made a great pacer for me and Matt for the first half of the race!
Molly was leading Trawdener in both events over the big initial climb and descent by Blea Tarn into Little Langdale. That's when new recruit Dave Potter glided past us both, cruising along to what would be an excellent 14th place overall in the half.
I caught up with Molly around 11 miles and, having just overheard a spectator say she was currently second lady, passed on the news. With typical competitive spirit she immediately said "How close is the lady behind?" She needn't have worried, as Matt also drew alongside her offering encouragement, she went on to finish well under 1h 40m and won the ladies race (the leading lady was actually running the full route)! An awesome achievement only marred by her being able to claim her prize as she dashed to help Fionnuala who'd locked her keys in the car. Ooops!
Mark and Sandra also ran on the rebound from illness or past injuries to complete a tough half marathon on a par with Hendon Brook, so it's not exactly a stroll in the park.
Back in the full, Matt drew alongside me at the start of our second lap as a spectator let us know we were currently in 12th and 13th positions overall. I had visions of another titanic battle ahead but Matt was starting to suffer with very sore feet in his minimalist running shoes. As we climbed back up Rocket Rod's pass again I managed to open a gap between us.
I was hoping to chip a few more minutes off my previous best time for the course, but by around 20 miles my legs were letting me know that a sub 1h 36m first lap may have been too fast. Nevertheless, I dug in and by the time I'd reached Loughrigg Tarn for the second time I'd picked up a few places. Over the final three miles along the Great Langdale valley, I felt stronger and passed another couple of runners to finish 7th overall and set another PB for the course.
Matt had suffered severe leg cramps and blistering over the second lap and Chris just caught him in the last mile. They both came in just over 3h 30m to finish 16th and 17th places. Chris just couldn't resist his trademark forward roll over the line, and Matt headed straight for the outdoor cold bath to soak his legs and feet. Once again, if there had been a team prize in the marathon TAC would have won it!
Despite his six pints the night before, Tony "Ultra Ultra" Hall finished strongly (doing Elvis impersonations in the process) and Big Scott managed to complete the course even though he'd been unable to stomach fluids or food for most of the race.
Later that night, as we celebrated the day with some well-earned refuelling in the Sticklebarn Tavern, Sally and Emily hosted a special Trawden awards night where Molly finally "officially" received her winner's trophy, and the rest of us were presented with certificates for virtually anything - no one was left out.
Another cracking weekend of great racing and camaraderie - here's to more of the same next year!
