Trog Report
February 8th, 2009 by Andy NicollWhat a stunning days in the hills we had yesterday.
The Trog is a 20 mile (measured at over 21 by some Garmin wearers) fell race around the moors above Hebden Bridge, Oxenhope and Haworth.
http://www.cvfr.co.uk/Races/Trog/troghome.htm
The WHOLE course was snow covered yesterday - literally from start to finish - which is something I’ve never experienced before. The weather was generally fine and at times when the wind dropped and the sun was out it was actually quite warm. However, when the wind was up and the sun in, it was blooooming freezing.
Before the race there was a shoe debate - should it be trail shoes or studs? The majority (including me) opted for studs (my very warn down walshies) and it proved to be the right choice. I think I’d have struggled in anything else.
About 110 runners set off in the full Trog (there’s also a half Trog run on the same day) and the field quickly spread out as the first couple of miles are a gradual climb over the moor. I turned at CP1 in 11th with my team mate Rob Jebb leading the field (as expected) and breaking the trail - a tough job that he did all day.
As we crossed the next couple of moors towards the Withins Ruin, myself and a Clayton runner had got into a good rhythm and we picked up and passed a friend of mine Jason Steven of CVFR as he struggled with the snowy conditions. Jason usually beats me but today was going to be my day….
As we turned for home (just 10 miles to go) we caught another chap and once I’d passed him I was in 7th overall which I held to the finish. As we started the descent towards the finish I managed to break my Clayton challenger and althouh I could see another group of 4 runners ahead I couldn’t catch them despite throwing caution to the wind and chucking myself down steep icy bankings and through snowy fields.
The race was orgainsed by the excellent team at Calder Valley Fell Runners and their hospitality extended to soup, sarnie and a cake at the finish for all runners - washed down with as much tea and coffee as you could drink - excellent!!
Overall Bingley Harriers had a great day with Rob winning the full Trog, myself in 7th and Lee Athersmith winning the half Trog with my mate Martin following him home in 3rd.
For anyone who’s interested, here’s what I packed for the race (the silver wrap is half a malt loaf squashed flat!!) :-
In the race I only had half the drink, one gel and a mini mars bar that I sneaked in for good measure (the cheese is there as a salt boost in case I feel cramps coming on) - the malt loaf wasn’t needed and was there in case I started to ‘bonk’ and needed to refill the tank with ‘real’ food.
