Being Plymouth based, it’s rare that I have the time to venture up to the Northern reaches of Dartmoor, but I’m glad I did for this fell race!
The juniors race was fast and furious, with a battle between the various ORC runners for the boys categories. The results are available at the link below on our Webscorer timing site.
I wasn’t timing the adults race, leaving me free to race (slowly). The route curves up to Longstone Hill via a climb up a track. Catching those setting off too quickly and not warmed up unawares (myself included). After that the route up to Yes Tor was open to interpretation.
Spotting a runner who looked fast taking a line to the left of the main field on the ascent, I headed up that way, with at least one other following me. This turned out to be a bit of a mistake as several runners went past on the higher, but more circular line. Passing the Mountain Rescue volunteers marshaling at Yes Tor (thanks!) the next point was High Willhays, a relatively easy trundle along the top of the ridge. Turning West at the marhsals (thanks!) begins the long descent to Black Tor. This is a Dartmoor special of tussocks and bog, which takes practice and agility to move swiftly over (I had neither, and Hugh shot past me in a masterly display of how it should be done). Turning North at the marshals on Black Tor, a well defined track on tired legs takes the route to it’s conclusion back at the start. Full results at the link below.
Many thanks to Hannah at Okehampton Running Club for a brilliant organised race, and a good route.
Remember, fell races which are part of the series and those that are not can be found in our events diary. If you are organising a fell run in the South West, we would be delighted to add it to the diary, please get in touch.