Niandi returned from her weekend in Paris and congratulated me on what turned out to be a joint 2nd place at the Dovedale Dipper in Derbyshire. It soon became apparent that as I talked about the event; the course, the low key nature, the organization, the feed stations and basically what a great event it was, Niandi wanted the buzz too! So, armed with the LDWA book I found the Elsecar Skelter – a 27 mile challenge over a trail route in Yorkshires finest countryside.

The event had a start of 08:30 but the we where only about an hours drive away so our typical 06:00 start was no hassle. The HQ was in the center of Elsecar, The Market Hotel which was just next to the Heritage Center. As with all these events it was very low key. Plenty of friendly faces and everyone willing to help. We picked up our packs and the ‘route book’. Wow, the route book… it was like War & Peace. Niandi looked at it and felt instantly ill.

“When you said navigation, I thought you meant just following signs” exclaimed Niandi “well, you are going to have to run with me as I can’t run and follow that!”

I wasn’t worried. I was looking forward to today being an opportunity for Niandi and myself to run together and also for me it was more miles in the legs. I was happy for those miles to be easier than the previous weeks marathon at Dovedale. On the start line serious looking runners looked each other up and down. Yorkshire breeds a tough, hardy runner and we were surrounded by them! At the ‘off’ two lads sped away looking as though they meant business… within 50yds they missed the first right turn. It was going to be a long day I thought. As I made the turn with the two other guys ahead going straight on, I questioned if it was myself that was wrong? Never good when you still have 27 miles to go. However, reassuringly I was correct. Importantly, you must always do your own navigation. Make your own mistakes and don’t second guess the decisions.

Early pace was relatively sedate as we ran up narrow single track, climbed over a stile and then ran through some open fields.

We soon had a small road section, past Cottages, over another stile, through a field and then entering a wood. It was very easy to go wrong but the route book was very well written. It was clear, informative and descriptive. The only issue is when you are trying to move at spped it is difficult to run, read and navigate without missing something. We passed ‘Hoober Stand’ – a 30m high building on a ridge situated in the village of Wentworth. The building designed by Henry Flitcroft was built to commemorate the 1745 quashing of the Jaccobite rebellion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoober_Stand). So, now you know…. it made a nice backdrop for Niandi as she ran past.

Running through Hoober Village Niandi and myself were pretty much running on our own. In the distance we could see one runner. Ahead of him just 2 or 3 others. Running up we came to the brow of a hill and the village of Nether Haugh. Navigation here became a little more complicated…. ‘bear right on tarmac track and take path left of house number 19, go forward (hidden mausoleum on right) on path to corner of field and turn left keeping hedge on right’

As you can see, very descriptive instructions and in most cases very reassuring. Any mistakes could soon be corrected relatively quickly. However, even though I ‘thumbed’ the route it was easy to jump a sentence and then I would find I was ahead of myself and starting to question if I was right. It all comes down to practice, the more you do the better you get. Wentworth Woodouse was in view, a stunning grade 1 listed country house (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wentworth_Woodhouse)

The first check point came. We had our cards clipped, drank juice, picked up a snack and then we were off. After a section of trail and fields we entered an industrial estate and stupidly I followed the direction of one lone runner in front. After 3-400m I realized we were wrong. As we back tracked I saw one runner turn where we should have turned. Back on the trail we were running uphill when suddenly a group of 4 caught us and ran past…. despite this being training I always find this difficult. I am far too competitive! But I behaved. Needless to say Niandi would not have been too happy to see me get the bit between my teeth and head up the trail…. At the top of this section a group of approximately 6 of us looked at each other; we were all wrong. We had missed a path off to the left lower down. A ‘local’ guy who obviously knew his way around went off piste and we followed, over the brow and running through a field and checkpoint 2 was in front of us. Another banquet. This checkpoint would be visited again much later in the day when we ran our figure of 8 loop.

This next section between checkpoint 2 and 3 was the toughest of the route. It had plenty of open rutted fields, gnarly ground, corn fields and thick overgrown vegitation. Believe me, both our legs have the scars to prove how tough this bit was. Navigation was also a little difficult but we managed (just about). We also had a ‘self check’ checkpoint on this route just to ensure no cheating took place. Liked that idea! The course really was a surprise. It was beautiful, tough and the weather was kind. What more could you want. After approximately 13 miles covered checkpoint 3 came and with it the option to take the shorter 20 mile route or commit and go for the 27 mile option. I could see some hesitation in Niandi and when we were asked “20 or 27?” the very quick response from myself came “27”. Pretty sure Niandi thanked me for that decision later in the day….

As we left I immediately went the wrong way. Apparently we needed a ‘supplement’ to the road book for the 27 route. Luckily I had this! Somewhere… !?! Back on track we headed off with the riniging voice of one of the marshalls saying

“This bits tricky…. easy to get lost… complicated… watch out at Dragons Den….”

OMG – Dragons Den… what are we running into? We ran down a path, through a stone yard, over a stile, ran across a field and then ran up a grass bank to meet the road and a left turn. Down the road I looked for a bungalow which apparently our ‘path’ was opposite. Mmmmm apparently not! Aaagh – that bungalow – you mean the bungalow that doesn’t look like a bungalow… ok.

Now in moorland we headed towards the sklyline and a power pylon. The path stopped, a stile was in front of us but the route book didn’t say ‘go over’ the stile. Another runner came. He was local and very well experienced on the course… he had ‘given us the nod’ once or twice before! We chatted and tried to decide on the route. I took the stile and ran on whatt was a definite path. After 5 mins or so it just didn’t feel right. I retraced and did what is always the best thing to do in these situations, go back to the last place you know is correct and then re navigate.

I was back on the track and then we had a ‘self check’ point at Dragons Den. All made sense now…. those marshals new that this area was open to going wrong. Wharncliffe Crags – wow!!! This section of rough tough trail was absolutely fantastic, Tough underfoot, great views and stunning.

The edge which is characterised as a steep rock face for much of its four kilometre length runs from just east of the village of Deepcar in a roughly south easterly direction to just east of Wharncliffe Side. Wharncliffe Crags stand on the eastern side of the upper River Don valley at a height of around 250 metres above sea level with the highest spot height being 297 metres.

Here is a little clip of me running at full speed on my way down to the edge of the Crags. Needless to say my Hoke One One Combo XT helping to remove all the harshness out of the terrain.

After a short section of forest we now re joined the original route book and our ‘detour’ to build the mileage for the 27 mile option was over. Running uphill we arrived at Wortley Church.

Passing trough a metal gate, we turned right, crossed the road and entered the grounds for Wortley Hall (http://www.wortleyhall.org.uk/) The hall is a stunning location, a beautiful building set in beautiful grounds. Waiting for us here was the ‘famous’ checkpoint 4.

All the feed stations in this race were superb but ‘4’ was the icing on the cake! The walkers would certainly be able to benefit from the spread on offer… i grabbed a jam tart, or was it two? Niandi was her usual restrained self, body is a temple and all that and took a whopping piece of chocolate cake!!!

It was the home run now and feeling refreshed from the joys of checkpoint 4 we pushed on. We now began to retrace some of the route from the earlier part of the day. Fields, gates, paths and routes had a familiarity. It was reassuring. However nothing looks the same when running in the opposite direction. From here on navigation was relatively easy. I had taken on the tactic of running ahead, stopping, naviagting, waiting for Niandi and then pushing on. We ‘self clipped’ at checkpoint 4a and then had a really great section of forest before suddenly arriving at checkpoint 5 (this was the same checkpoint as 2 from earlier in the day). Up the hill, over the bridge and now climbing up through more trails and then a fast run down past a golf course. We then joined a road opposite Tankersley Church, turned right and then ran past Tankersley Old Hall (http://www.wildyorkshire.co.uk/naturediary/docs/2001/9/7.html), famous as this was featured in the classic film ‘Kes’ – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064541/

After the Hall we took a path left and the final checkpoint, a ‘self clip’ set in a wooden pathway was ahead of us. We now ran the final miles at a good pace. Navigation was easy and the terrain was good underfoot. After a few miles we came to a reservoir. We ran around the reservoir, through a park, past a bandstand and then suddenly we were back! 28.5 miles in the bag.

Back at the race HQ both Niandi and myself were told that we had made top 10. A good result considering a definite lack of pace due to the navigation. However, the result was not important, we had both had a fantastic day out on a stunning course with brilliant organization. At the finish we even had the treat of a finishing certificate, a ‘sew on’ patch and a meal of ‘Pie n Peas’ – a delicacy for Yorkshire. Have to say the pie went down really well…. nothing like creating a hunger with a long tough run. Of course I could feel even more smug….unlike Niandi I hadn’t had a whopping piece of chocolate cake at checkpoint 4!!!!