Meldon Skyline – Series Race and Devon AA Champs –

SwFellrunners says..

Race is now open for entries

Yes this is early but we are hoping for some great qualification results for Devon AA team, and  the biggest hill climb in the series. Is a first time for the course but from the recce runs its got a bit of everything, including the highest tops on Dartmoor, a couple of nice descents but of course a couple of nice climbs to earn them. Devon AA team did outstanding last year so we hope this distance will be close to National course and height gain. We hope to have North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team supporting the event. Enjoy!

Route

Please use lower sections of car park registration will be at the bottom. Seniors Route is Meldon dam start, to yes tor ( marshal) to Fordinsland ledge ( checkpoint) to Homerton Hill ( checkpoint) and advisory crossing over weir, then up to Sourton tor ( checkpoint) and track back via gate to Meldon car park. See ‘Inside line’ below if you want more details

Juniors will start early at 8:40 to finish by 9am . seniors will start at 9:15am. Note there will be a U9/U11/U13 race. U15 and U17 will start with adults – but do a seperate course

Race website is now  open – u9/u11/u13 juniors will run before seniors . This is rated as a A class medium course and basic kit ( hat, gloves, waterproofs, map, compass,  whistle) will need to be taken- please come with kit – no kit no run.

the ‘inside line’ . . .

So have been asked what’s the ‘nav’ like and can i take a direct line here?  So here is my view of how i would run it… but it is a fell race so your own choice. ( PS no substitute to a good look at the map and take a compass). First i would warm up or the first hill will hit you like a punch in the guts. From start as soon as fence ends come off main track and take trod, and then cut across to to track higher up. Now i would contour around to left, but some racing snakes might choose to go straight up over ( not sure its any quicker).

Following track until levels out (‘ish)  there is a logical place to cut left and head up to Yes , it looks a long way but you will get there. The ‘mountain hares’ might want a direct line over boulders but most might stay a bit right and cut left near top. In poor vis i would use a compass as mostly straight line. You now are on top of Devon! Hopefully met by a beaming team of NDSART.  Head south and skip past High Willhay’s on worn track , you can follow this around all the way to Fordinsland ledge. Oh another NDSART team should be here. Of course you can cut corner but ground is hard work.

From here your heading down a mucky peaty track towards Black tor- keep it to your left, you are headed out onto Homerton hill ridge, i actually kept close to two very big boulders on valley edge ( i was about 50yds to right of them ) to eventually follow a sheep trod which takes a line to the right. Take care there is some tufty terrain here for 200yds. You will eventually come out on broad open ridge with grassy patches and a nice Red pup tent with a Marshal. In think mist something like 320 mag gets you there but harder in a straight line.

Now take a rough 260 Mag line towards valley will get you to a nice decent path down to the weir , should be a nice marshal wishing you on here. Cross and then the steepest part of the course! I would make up the ridge on path which eases off fairly quickly , now West up a nice open bowl valley takes you up to Sourton tor- nearest big block will have another Marshal. Then a fast super decent back down the ridge in NE direction to make gate at footpath signpost. Again 2 more marshals here and more fast decent – please stick to path – there may be livestock about. as soon as you cross end gate turn left into finish funnel – you’ve done it!

I hope that helps – enjoy – but do check out your map and choose your own line.

Oh watch out for a bit of gamesmanship some runners if they think they are being tailgated- might take a harder line? !