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  Good Shepherd Classic Fell Race
(15 miles/2800ft)

20th September 2008



Registration and prize giving is here at the Good Shepherd Centre, Mytholmroyd,
note the big pans of soup and the butties

  Advertised Statistics Measured Statistics
Distance 15 Miles 15 Miles
Total Climbs 2,000ft 2,800ft
Electronic traces .gpx  


The first navigational challenge in this race is finding the
Good Shepherd Centre for registration.  The website and FRA handbook give a grid reference that seems to be in the sea off the coast of Blackpool.  There are no road names or post codes provided and as a result Mytholmroyd was abuz with lost looking fell runners trying to find registration.  The easiest way to find it is to head for Mytholmroyd train station and its 100 yards before there (when travelling from Rochdale), just to the right off the main road.

The race was excellent - very well organised, marshalled and had everything you need. There was a good amount of parking available at the Centre and they had nice, clean (albeit midget sized) loos .  You could get a cuppa before and after the race.   The church ladies were lovely. There were two big pans of soup and butties available, all they asked for was a donation.  And there were 3 drink stations along the course. The race starts a good 10 min from registration so leave plenty of time to get there.  There were plenty of flags on the flagged sections but some navigation was required on other parts if you were not within eyesite of others in front.  

The race itself looked pretty tame from the stats - 2000ft over 15 miles - didn't seem too bad.   But it was a lot tougher than I expected.  It starts with a long, steady slog up to the back of Stoodley Pike, then down to the ressie a little and contouring round a hill.   The next section over the moors was without paths or trods - jogging as best you can through high heather, bogs and these mutant twiglet bushes that pulled at your shoes with every step.   The moor section was very draining.

Then it was a steep drop down to Mankinholes on the Pennine Bridleway, along the path then a thumbs on thighs scramble plod up the front, steep face of Stoodley Pike.  Then it's a gradual down, through bogs again.   Near the end there is an excruciating sting in the tail - another climb.  At the top its undulating and difficult to run because your legs are so worn out.  Then its down for a longish run in to the finish line.

Results were on the internet the same day.  

I must admit I found this race really hard and like many struggled in the later stages.  Everyone thought the organisers put on a smashing event.

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(C) Copyright John Mayall 2008, including all images.