Tigger Tor Fell Race 2013

Following the recent heavy snow, i usually make my way to Derby for the Wilmot Wander, but this year i have decided to focus on the Totley Series of races, the first one of which is the Tigger Tor.

Race details for this one are:

Start: Tigers RUFC 11.00am
Distance: 10 miles
Height: 2,200ft
Cost: £5.00 pre entry/£6.50 on day

After the recent weather, it was announced the night before that it would be run on a revised Harsh Weather route, taking in HoundKirk Quarry, HoundKirk Road, Hathersage Moor, Tigger Tor and Upper Burbage Bridge.

Some of which is local to the Burbage Skyline route.

Arrived to find the weather quite harsh, wind, cold, and looked like some snow was left and some had metled leaving huge rivers of slush and deep wet bogs, thsi will be a real test.

The race was 15 mins late starting due to late arrivals and parking issues, but a good 390+ started out on what was to be a really grind of a race for me, long slow assents, and muddy boggy energy sapping terrain.

After 20 mins, i felt drained and knowing the route i knew i had to dig deep, so just kept of nailing it as fast as i could, as the time passed and trip, slip and up to my waist. (two runners leaped it in front of me, i thought it might have been a 4 inch puddle, but oh god it wasn't, waist deep, ice cold water, yelped like a pig.... Phil Walters shouted back... whats up with ya, girl or something, or something on those lines) Used my elbows to get out and then plodded on)  

Just coming round after Upper Burbage Bridge.

Made my way to the bridge at the base of the climb upto Higger tor, blasting wind from the left, pushed on as hard as i could and started to pull the tide back in a little!

The trot along the path from Upper Bridge was wet, and tricky underfoot, but still just kept on trotting! 

I could see the 10 runners ahead, took a few then reached the Climb back onto the moor from Sheffield Country Walk .... tough little climb, deep snow in places, then the long trot back and fast decent off the HoundKirk Road, manged to pass a few on teh decent , including Phil Walters ( i had it in the back of my mind, get back to the field before him and i can beat him back) Phil had a great amount of speed left and nailed me at the finish.

A great race all in all, some regular folk, Kenny Turner, Phil Walters, Richard Pegram, Jon Heathfield, Reg etc.

Finished in 1.28.15 266th out of 395 starters, not a bad revised AM.

Looking forward to the next one! 

Even had a Double Rainbow....

Double Rainbow - Coming Through Chatsworth.