Scorchio? Not exactly Benidorm is it Gromit lad!

Sowerby Scorcher by name but not by nature given the continued bad weather at races lately. Cold, windy and that fine rain that gets you wet greeted us both as we arrived in classic Wallace and Gromit territory at Sowerby Bridge.

We weren't too sure on footwear given the mutli-terrain rating: trail or road shoes? I did ask around and was so glad that we both opted for trail/fell trainers given the course as we progressed round after the start.

The race starts from the village hall and we were hootered off by the local mayoress, making our way out through the gates and onto the main road.

First off comes a tough steady but at times steep climb for well over two miles and all of this bit is on the road. The course then veers off to the left and enters into classic off-road via tracks and moorland, but continues to climb up to the three mile marker.

The turn for home starts but then it's a steep drop down some quite tricky muddy fell paths which the bad weather of late only added to in this event. Even though I've done some fell races of late, I still haven't mastered the knack of letting go down these fell-like paths. Think it's more of a confidence thing which will hopefully come with time and experience.

At last the the race returned to the blessed black Tarmac with yet another climb up before a steep descent into the village again, followed by a nice flat sprint finish from the six mile marker back to the village hall.

Both Wallace and I really enjoyed this race as it had a bit of everything in it. Not really the best of weather but given the course we didn't really have much chance to think about it much until the finish. It's a tough 10K and you know you been in a race when you're finished.

Good placings for both of us, 6th and 21st respectively, and on into the village hall for a piece of cake or two and a nice hot brew to wash it all down. More cake Gromit? Yes please...