A lovely race report from Joe Marlew on Cock Howe fell race…
On Wednesday 15th July, Esther Harrison, Paul Chapman and Joe Martlew took on the Cock Howe & Beyond fell race as part of the Esk Valley Summer Series. Attendence numbers were down compared to the usual midweek races, something to do with a football tournament…?
The race starts and finishes at Chop Gate village hall, climbing steeply through bracken (quick prayer to the ankle turning gods) and out onto the open moorland. After a short dip up and down to cross a stream, the route reaches the isolated farm at Head House. Here the race picks up a fast track towards Bilsdale transmitting station. If you’ve saved some beans on the initial climb you can settle into a quick pace. False cairns aplenty, the route eventually joins up with itself back at Wether Hill, ready for a fast descent back down the way you came to the finish.
We had an excellent evening, with great views of the Three Sisters. Esther Harrison was second lady in 53:59, Paul Chapman finished strongly in 1:05:18 and Joe Martlew took the overall win in 45:32. Thanks to Esk Valley for another great event and to the North York Moors Association for donating prizes.
