Gerry McCabe's Legendary Hendon Brook
A tough but very scenic road race, this could well be the Jewel in the PBGP's crown. Starting from Marsden Park golf club the route takes in the country lanes over the top of Nelson & Colne, with a fair few hills thrown in for good measure!
The route warms the legs first with a drop through Boulsworth Crescent & Hollins road, before turning left & passing the new Pendle Vale college & climbing back up Walton Lane, past the race start and down to Barkerhouse Road.
Turning left it's onto the second climb up the junction with Southfield Lane, where it's a right turn, past the Shooters Arms pub and down to Catlow ford, well two fords actually. WARNING: take care crossing the ford, it is always extremely slippy on the cobbles under the water!
Now your feet (and maybe the rest of you if you aren't careful) are cooled down, climb up the narrow lane & continue to the end. Turn left here onto Halifax Road for a pleasant section of running before a steady climb to the junction with Ridehalgh Lane.
Turn right here and drop down to run alongside the stream for a short while before climbing again to the junction with Halifax road. Turn left again onto Halifax road for the short, sharp climb up through the trees and the right turn onto Back Lane.
Another slight downhill & flat section follows, running past Coldwell reservoir & onto the next climb up to Clarion House. At the cross roads, turn right for a fast run down to the bottom of Sheffield Lane, bottoming out and round the bend at the bottom onto Burnley Rd for another short climb & dropping into Trawden.
Turn left onto Colne Road for another climb up onto the ridge and admire the view while you can, before dropping down to the stream & climbing up Carry Lane. The hills aren't finished yet though!
Turn left at the top and run along Keighley road to the traffic lights. Left again & down the hill before turning right along West St. From here it's a left down Colne Lane & Waterside lane to the junction & a left turn at the bottom. Save some in your tank for the real "sting in the tail" a long hard slog up Lenches hill in Colne, which is sure to make you want to throw in the towel & walk back down the hill for a pint at the Lord Rodney!
At the top it's a left onto Southfield Lane which continues to climb, although not quite as steeply, before dropping slightly & bearing right for the final 1.5mile run in. Turn right at the top of Barkerhouse road, & it's all downhill now to the end...no it isn't really!
At the junction it's a right turn & what would normally be a gentle climb back up Townhouse road, it'll probably feel a touch steeper by now. Follow the road back to the finish & relax in the knowledge you've completed the hardest race in the PBGP!