Race report from Marc Davies…
The ‘Fryup Frazzler’ Fell Race Sunday 20th September
The final race of the winter fell series and for some – but none of us running today – an important last chance to claim dominance in their category.
At just under 6 miles long with 1410 Feet of ascent (almost a third of the height of Ben Nevis) from a personal perspective one of my favourites. I think this one of the truest (of those I’ve done) of the shorter races in the Esk Series as it runs round (and up and down of course) Little Fryup Dale giving a classic moorland loop with great views and variable challenging ground, but all achievable. The ground was almost completely dry and firm (a feature of this summer) but that in itself isn’t always an advantage, many trods are more stony and many fields have no ‘give’ which combined with baked ruts and the like can lead to less slips but more trips and falls. Other than that it was pretty much ideal running conditions excepting the very strong wind on the tops – though this was countered by the heat in the sheltered sections.
Registration takes place at the Yorkshire Cycle Hub which sadly is on the market. Let’s hope it’s bought by likeminded folk and continues to offer the excellent facilities in this far flung isolated part of the moors – fingers crossed.
Four Harriers turned up on the day, Sarah Harrison, Paul Chapman, Marc Davies and Bronwyn Mayo to run with Joe Martlew Marshaling.
After the customary run round the Cycle Hub’s field the runners ascent a steep climb that soon spreads the fast folk from the rest. If you stay to the rear you can lose a lot of time here as the procession slows to a grinding walk on the climb. Knowing I was still injured I stuck myself firmly there to ensure I didn’t get carried away. Soon after the climb the route follows Danby Rigg before (of course) if then descends all the way back down to the road then immediately turns left back up to the Rigg by a different route. Gruelling – but fun. On the Rigg once more there is a lot of heathery narrow single track where you can’t see your feet, or really where they are going. Keep your knees up to avoid any potential obstacles and trust yourself and keep an eye out for open sections off the path that might be an easier faster choice.
Once more it’s down again, this time into dale itself and once across the road a bit of a fast run before crossing a couple of fields that rise slightly and always feel harder to me than they should do before a level farm track leads to a stumbling bracken swathed climb into the woods. The ever youthful Neil Scruton passes (one year from 80!) with ever cheery encouragement. Once again its sweaty in the cover of the trees and doesn’t really feel much fresher even on the contour along ‘Heads’ hill where Sarah passes me, after likely losing a few minutes being further back on that initial climb. An easy gain next time Sarah! Often it’s the last bit of a race that seems the least pleasant and that’s certainly the case here as following a lovely fast track descent its onto the tarmac for a section of what seems a bit too tiring uphill followed by the final ignominy of running back round that field again to the finish, which at least downhill on this race as opposed to uphill on the ‘Fox and Hounds’ at the same venue.
74 runners finished the race, of the four of us first home was Paul Chapman 33rd in 62:03, next Bronwyn Mayo 40th in 66:36, then in 55th Sarah Harrison 71:48 and finally Marc Davies 60th in 73:10.
As I say, I think this is a really great honest fell race and a good one to try, at £5 (FRA member price if already signed up to the series) it’s an absolute bargain. It’s a bit of a drive over, but the venue is in an idyllic setting, has excellent facilities (showers etc), great food and if you do go you’re most of the way over to Whitby so why not make a day of it and go for a swim or fish & chips after? Great race, great race series, great venue, there’s nothing not to like which is why I had to go even knowing it would be a bit of a poor showing.
It was unfortunate that the final race clashed with a club championship race meaning runners had to decide, fell race or champs race. Joe Martlew came to marshal to gain his 50 point bonus to seal his position as winner of the Leading Men Overall & Male Open classes after a tremendous race series. Very very well done Joe, down to the wire. Ashley was just six points short of taking the Male over 50 category after another determined race series and again to be congratulated. In the women’s category Sarah Harrison was second in the Female over 40 category and is to be applauded as that is no mean feat when Cath Williamson is in the same class. The rest of us, well…we took part.
Awards will be given for the series winners at the next race which will be the start of the Winter Series with another cracker of a race, ‘The Viking Chase’, based closer to home at Lordstones. It’s another good one for those fancying a foray into the world of fell running and lots of folk in the club have done it over the years so you can find lots of guidance.
As always a huge thank you to all the organisers and marshals for giving up their time and making this event as well as the entire series possible. It’s good to ‘give something back’ so anyone thinking about volunteering for the Gormire Gamble on the 18th October which we (as a club) host please message me, Marc Davies, direct.
Cheers, Marc
