Lesley Pymm reports: The penultimate race in the summer series and there were two from BvH there. I love this event. It starts by the Stiperstones Inn in Shropshire and goes off up the lane towards the hill fort. There used to be a junior run, but this is being held in a couple of weeks, so I was not tripped up by fast youngsters as I was trying to run up the first hill. It has been ‘improved’ and there are now steps – I don’t do steps!
I got to the top and then it is off to the left and following a sheep track along and then downhill again – where we found the only bit of bog around (it has been very dry). Following the path down I got to a gate where I remembered I had climbed the stile last time I did it, only to be overtaken by the person who used the gate. Through the gate and then climbing again.
It is a difficult climb at times as you can’t always see if there is anything to step on. Reaching the top, I turned to the right and followed the path along by the fence. I turned to run past a herd of cattle who were obviously wondering what was going on and then I was on the ridge and heading towards Shepherds Rock.
At the cairn, it was a sharp right and the long downhill started. Difficult to see as the sun was in my eyes, but I headed downhill towards Perkins Beach – aware that a friend has beaten me on all the downhills so far this season. It seemed never ending and I charged into the finish area, amazed that I hadn’t been passed. Laura and her brother-in-law were waiting for me with Mike.
Great event. It was a lovely evening to be in such a great place. It was totally still up there and beautiful. 5.1k and 244m of climb – what a great way to spend a summer evening.