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The Esker
Training and Racing
Update
(08/03/15)
Ste Alderton heading up the valley and enjoying himself so much forgot he was racing!
Joe Johnson, Ste Alderton and Paul Williams with fell running legend Morgan Donnelly.
A few Eskers made the trip to High Cup Nick last weekend. As well as a good race they also
got a couple of good photos (see above).
Wharfee has released another of his excellent fell running videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqAukNnT_M8
The Winter Series continues with another race in March. Blakey Blitz (see above) is on
Sunday 22nd March and is arguably our toughest fell race at over 10 miles and 2500ft of
climbing. There can't be many races anywhere with a tougher finish.
However, if this isn't tough enough then consider the Hardmoors 55 the day before (Saturday
21st March). This race takes in the 55 miles of Cleveland Way from Guisbrough to Helmsley.
On Saturday 28th March is The Cleveland Survival, which is an orienteering event of around 26
miles. The event is one of the major fundraisers for the Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team.
Looking further ahead, entries are now open or will soon be open for some of the Lake District
races coming up in April which need to be pre-entered including:
Coledale Horseshoe is on Saturday 11 th April (http://fellrunner.org.uk/races.php?id=3698)
Not registered with the FRA but nice to see it back in the handbook is the Anniversary Waltz /
Teenager With Altitude on Saturday 18 th April (http://www.anniversarywaltz.co.uk) Exactly the
same races but run under SHR rules. This is one of the biggest events of the season with a
lovely (but tough) route and well worth making the effort to do.
Racing/Training dates
Coulby Runners – Road/Trail session
The Coulby Runners is our more road based training group (all welcome), we meet at the Leisure Farm, Coulby
Grange, Coulby Newham at 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start, on a Monday night, runs are for; beginners, those
returning to fitness and anyone looking for an easy paced run on road and trail. Louise Campbell and Alison
Rolfe of Esk Valley lead the group.
Junior Runners
The Junior Fell Running group, organised by Shelli Gordon, meets most weeks and involves a run of about 3
miles which includes drills, games, chats and plenty of stops! It usually lasts just over 1 hour.
Parents of young children will need to accompany them and all parents are welcome to run too. Don't worry if
you think you can't keep up with your child as they generally run very fast for a short distance then need to stop
to get their breath! The group will wait for younger children (or tired adults!) or split into 2 groups.
Sunday 15/03/15
09.30hrs – Locke Park Redcar (New Marske harriers 20mls, be a flat
training run, but good to see all the athletes/racing)
Sunday 22/03/15
10.00hrs – Roseberry Topping (layby outside of Newton)
Sunday 29/03/15
10.00hrs - Stokesley Duathlon if they want to come and support.
Sunday 05/04/15
09.30hrs - Guisborough rugby club (race Guis Three Tops-training session
before race starts)
Esk Valley Fell Club - Fell training torch-run sessions
The (famous) Tuesday nighters are our off-road session and this will be the last month for a while when headtorches will be required at the start of the run. Please also bring safety kit. All are welcome (including non club
members), although not ideal for the absolute beginner as runs are usually around 8 - 10 miles with at least
1500ft of climbing. The pace is steady with an occasional blast up Strava segments if you so wish. We
generally run as a single group with faster runners back-tracking or just having a chat while slower runners
catch up. Occasionally we spilt up to accommodate different fitness levels. The first Tuesday of month meet is
near a pub with drinks, chips and a chat in the pub after the run. I've given an idea of what the run might
involve but these are subject to change depending on how people feel on the night.
Keep in touch through our facebook page - Link
Tuesday 10/03/15
19.00hrs – Training – Pinchinthorpe
Variety of options including RoseberryTopping, Little Roseberry, Hanging Stone
and High Cliff with lots of good single track available.
Tuesday 17/03/15
19.00hrs – Training – Bank Foot
Usual route takes over to Baysdale via Turkey Nab and back or there is the option
of a route taking in the Incline.
Saturday 21/03/15
09.00hrs – Hardmoors 55 – Ultra - 88km/2700m
Venue – Guisbrough.
Sunday 22/03/15
10.30hrs – Blakey Blitz – BM – 17km/855m
Venue – Lion Inn, Blakey Ridge
Event 13 in the NEHRA/Esk Valley/Northern Runner Winter Series.
Tuesday 24/03/15
19.00hrs – Training – Clay Bank Lower Car Park
Many options from here including chance to get over to Tripsdlae or Bransdale.
Saturday 28/03/15
09.00hrs – Cleveland Survival – 26 miles (approx)
Venue yet to be announced. See CMRT web-site for details:
http://www.clevelandmrt.org.uk/events.php
Tuesday 31/03/15
19.00hrs – Training – Swainby
Usual route includes the long climb to Carlton Trig and over to Bryan's pond.
Tuesday 07/04/15
19.00hrs - Training – Maynards
Lots of possible routes from here. Can get to the top of any of the 5 “peaks” from
Round Hill to Carlton Trig, then adjourn to the Bay Horse in Great Broughton for
a chat, drinks and chips.
Maps for training venues:
10/03/15 – Pinchinthorpe
17/03/15
Bank Foot
24/03/15
Clay Bank Lower Car Park
31/03/15
Swainby
07/04/15
Maynards
Hope to see you out soon. Mike.
And don't forget our Esk Valley Facebook page – Link
Photo courtesy of Dave Aspin
[email protected]