Auld Lang Syne Fell Race 31/12/09
December 31st, 2009 by Andy NicollEarlier today me and 379 other fell running loonies ran the famous Auld Lang Syne Race from Penistone Hill near Haworth.
This race has grown in popularity over the years due mainly to the tremendous enthusiasm of the organisers Dave and Eileen Woodhead (AKA the Woodentops). Dave could rightly be described as one of fell running’s more colourful characters and he and Eileen do a fantastic job of laying on superb events throughout the year and encouraging young and old to pull on their fell shoes all in the name of fun.
This year, due to the event attracting over 500 runners last year, entry was restricted to ‘just’ 400 but what a field it was. In addition to Santa, a sheep, a group of nuns and a skeleton (more about that later) the start line also contained Alistair Brownlee (world Triathlon champion), his brother Jonny (European Triathlon Champion), Ian Holmes (all round Fell Running legend), Andi Jones, Simon Bailey etc. etc. etc.
As my pal Steve Firth said in the pub afterwards, what other sport sees world champions running against folk in fancy dress - Fantastic!!
The course is a little brute - only around 4 miles in total but with snow and ice still lying thick on the tops it was a very tough race.
To sign off my fell running year, I decided not to take the event too seriosuly and dug out my skeleton suit along with my sons rather fetching skull pirate mask. This little get up went down a storm and even earned me a prize although the problem was that nobody recognised me. There were loads of folk I knew on the course both competing and spectating but instead of them seeing Andy trotting along I was just some faceless nutter in a skeleton outfit!!
To say I only had very restricted tunnel vision (the mask was made for an 8 year old) and I was rebreathing carbon dioxide with every strained breath, I think I did OK. What’s really funny when you’re in costume is watching folk react when you overtake them - it’s a funny thing but nobody likes to get beaten by somone in fancy dress and there’s a notciable acceleration or a special effort to repass you whenever you make a move (I should know I’ve never got over being passed by Captain Hook in the last couple of miles of the London Marathon - there was I in full marathon gear dying on my feet when Mr Hook came flying past with his raven curls blowing in the breeze, waving his sword around playing to crowd - Mentally scarred!!)
Anyway, that’s another year of fell running consigned to the hsitory books - my high point I think was 3rd in the Haworth Hobble and my low point dragging my sorry ass round the 22 mile Wasdale race after blowing in the first 2 miles.
I wonder what next year will bring - the West Highland Way in June is my main focus so lots of long steady miles need to be dripped into the old legs.
Right, time to get ready for a NYE party where I can quaff my Daleside Old Legover beer - curtesy of Dave Woodhead and the 2009 Auld Lang Syne race.
Happy New Year everyone - see you next year!!
Tags: Auld Lang Syne Race, cross country, fell running, Penistone Hill, running