Settle Saunter 2019
June 9th 2019
23-mile fell run
After an evening at a lovely wedding in the Broughton Hall estate in Skipton, I woke up bright and early the next morning and wandered over to the village hall to sign up for "on the day" entry to this event. I think this is my first ever "on the day" entry to a running race - but how could I resist when the start was less than 30 metres from where I was staying?
At the sign-in I was given a checkpoint card and some string. I didn't really know what to do with this but took it away with me anyway. I got changed, gave Molly a quick feed (more for my benefit than hers) then at 08:25 I left the cottage for the 08:30 start. I was pleased that after a short briefing the race started exactly on time. I was also pleased to observe that everyone else had tied their card to themselves with the string, so I did likewise....
A short shuffle through the town brought us to a fairly steep incline. A few people ran off, but bar a half marathon I haven't been able to do more than 7 miles in training this season (thanks to a knee injury - meniscual tear) so I took it really slowly. 23 miles is not a distance for which I wanted to overdo it too early.
Once up I broke into a light jog, skirting past a few people and enjoying the amazing views, light breeze and open countryside in general. A couple of miles passed me by and the trail of runners really started to thin out. I got chatting to a guy and we ran the next few miles to the checkpoint together. At the checkpoint I was pleased to find some millionaires shortbread, and chomped a square whilst my card was punched (each checkpoint it turned out had a different pattern of "punch").
From here I pushed on along the Penine Bridleway until the next checkpoint, after which the route looped around and through an uphill tunnel (funky!). Out of the tunnel presented more incredible views, and a light tailwind too. We followed the bridleway all the way to Stainforth, where I have previously swum in some lovely waterfalls and pools. I quite fancied a dip now but unfortunately the race was on, so continued up out of the village. This climb had me walking for over a mile, but again I was just enjoying the scenery and ensuring I was racing well within myself.
The saddle we appeared on was familiar from my walk the previous day, and very near Settle itself. With 9 miles still to go though, we passed the village and gradually turned back towards Settle (and the wind). A short downhill and forestry section (where I missed the "self-check") led down to the river valley. Here, the route crossed the river via a rather busy road bridge, before following the river back into Settle. For the first time in the race (and from about 20 miles) I started to find the going really tough. Retrospectively I've looked at the profile and what looked like a flat river towpath was actually uphill, but those 3 miles took a long time to pass and I was incredibly glad to see the village hall looming.
At the finish I handed in my card and was told I was the first female back! Very surprised but pleased, I rushed back to my cottage (to check out by 1pm, I finished at 12.45!) and my daughter. Slightly stiff, we enjoyed the rest of the day together.
Overall this was an absolutely stunning course and friendly race, which I would recommend to anyone. Even the badge I received at the end was kind of quaint:
After an evening at a lovely wedding in the Broughton Hall estate in Skipton, I woke up bright and early the next morning and wandered over to the village hall to sign up for "on the day" entry to this event. I think this is my first ever "on the day" entry to a running race - but how could I resist when the start was less than 30 metres from where I was staying?
At the sign-in I was given a checkpoint card and some string. I didn't really know what to do with this but took it away with me anyway. I got changed, gave Molly a quick feed (more for my benefit than hers) then at 08:25 I left the cottage for the 08:30 start. I was pleased that after a short briefing the race started exactly on time. I was also pleased to observe that everyone else had tied their card to themselves with the string, so I did likewise....
A short shuffle through the town brought us to a fairly steep incline. A few people ran off, but bar a half marathon I haven't been able to do more than 7 miles in training this season (thanks to a knee injury - meniscual tear) so I took it really slowly. 23 miles is not a distance for which I wanted to overdo it too early.
Once up I broke into a light jog, skirting past a few people and enjoying the amazing views, light breeze and open countryside in general. A couple of miles passed me by and the trail of runners really started to thin out. I got chatting to a guy and we ran the next few miles to the checkpoint together. At the checkpoint I was pleased to find some millionaires shortbread, and chomped a square whilst my card was punched (each checkpoint it turned out had a different pattern of "punch").
From here I pushed on along the Penine Bridleway until the next checkpoint, after which the route looped around and through an uphill tunnel (funky!). Out of the tunnel presented more incredible views, and a light tailwind too. We followed the bridleway all the way to Stainforth, where I have previously swum in some lovely waterfalls and pools. I quite fancied a dip now but unfortunately the race was on, so continued up out of the village. This climb had me walking for over a mile, but again I was just enjoying the scenery and ensuring I was racing well within myself.
The saddle we appeared on was familiar from my walk the previous day, and very near Settle itself. With 9 miles still to go though, we passed the village and gradually turned back towards Settle (and the wind). A short downhill and forestry section (where I missed the "self-check") led down to the river valley. Here, the route crossed the river via a rather busy road bridge, before following the river back into Settle. For the first time in the race (and from about 20 miles) I started to find the going really tough. Retrospectively I've looked at the profile and what looked like a flat river towpath was actually uphill, but those 3 miles took a long time to pass and I was incredibly glad to see the village hall looming.
At the finish I handed in my card and was told I was the first female back! Very surprised but pleased, I rushed back to my cottage (to check out by 1pm, I finished at 12.45!) and my daughter. Slightly stiff, we enjoyed the rest of the day together.
Overall this was an absolutely stunning course and friendly race, which I would recommend to anyone. Even the badge I received at the end was kind of quaint:
Times
Total time: 04:13:00
Standings
Gender category: 1/36 3% Yay! First lady :)
Overall category: 8/66 12%
Total time: 04:13:00
Standings
Gender category: 1/36 3% Yay! First lady :)
Overall category: 8/66 12%
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