‘Gotta good reason
For taking the easy way out
She was a day-ay-ay tripper
One way ticket, yeah …’
(McCartney/Lennon)
I couldn’t help singing these lyrics to this infamous Beatles’ song after a WhatsApp group was initiated for the use of those Saltwellians travelling up to Melrose in the Scottish Borders for the Eildon Hills race… part of the Saltwell Fell Series. The only thing that divided our commitment, as JC meticulously recorded in our WhatsApp poll, was that some of us were indeed ‘day trippers’ while others were braving a night or two under canvas before and after the race.
Despite the travel and accommodation arrangements, the one common denominator was that none of us would most definitely not be ‘taking the easy way out’ by participating in this Scottish Hill championship race. This particular one, like others apparently, started at the unusual time of 2.30 in the afternoon. Post race discussion concocted all manner of reasons why this might be… some of them a tad disparaging towards our Scottish cousins. Did someone suggest that the late start might be factoring in recovery time from the Friday night before?!
My own day began with a quick park walk at parkrun to waken up my legs before leaving Gateshead. Just before I left, an email came through from the Eildon organisers, the Gala Harriers, to inform us that there was a threat of rain showers so be sure to carry a waterproof: no waterproof, no start. For anyone who isn’t familiar with fell/hill races, this was a small portion of the usual kit which usually consists of waterproof jacket and trousers along with map, compass and whistle … and sometimes a hat depending on the time of year.
It’s a beautiful journey up to the Borders – rolling fields and hills and decent roads, all made better on this occasion by the gorgeous weather, although a bit hot for a hill race… so the threat of rain was music to my, and everyone else’s, ears!
As we looked for a parking space in Melrose, we caught sight of JC and Andrew Softley. I was a bit puzzled. Andrew was standing with a crutch and a leg in plaster! After a bit of probing, he told me that he’d been playing ‘catch’ with the bairns of Saltwell aka ‘the happy campers,’ when his Achilles tendon just snapped. Ouch!! Well done to all those who got him to A and E as quickly as possible. We all wish Andrew a speedy recovery and really hope that he won’t need surgery. One man down. Luckily (or unluckily) Julie Schneider had hurt her knee during the Saltwell 10k legacy race, so she was on hand to make sure Andrew was being looked after. So, we had two ‘men’ down and that was before any of us had stepped foot on the hill!
After registration, and the Saltwell team photo, we made our way to the race briefing where individual numbers were called out and the runner attached to that specific number had to walk into the pen, like a lamb to the slaughter. We thought they were doing this in order of time predictions, but it soon became clear that it was a safety check being done in alphabetical order. Phew, no walk of shame for being a back of the pack runner, I thought. Although being the back of the pack has its advantages. Everyone should be able to navigate in the hills, but when you’re running at the back with no one to follow, it’s even more important – so, having done quite a few day and night navigation courses – one with our very own Keith Wood – my navigational skills aren’t too bad. I have to confess to liking maps though so that helps! And I try to do a weekly map challenge to keep me on my toes.
At this point, I’d already spoken to my legs and to my heart and lungs and warned them that they were about to be in for a shock and told them if they could try and sort themselves out and cooperate with me, I’d try and deal with the head part. I’ve always liked the thought of Emma Bovary’s legs, in Flaubert’s novel ‘Madame Bovary,’ being seen as a symbol to help shape her life (although not in the destructive way that it did for her!) and I was hoping that my legs and other body parts might work together to help shape the next hour or so for me (turned out to be one hour and twenty minutes – happy with that, as they say).
there might be a thunderstorm, oh… and there are cows on the route, oh… and adders, oh… and make sure you check yourself for ticks when you finish. Crikey!
Once in the pen, the final details were relayed to us: there might be a thunderstorm, oh… and there are cows on the route, oh… and adders, oh… and make sure you check yourself for ticks when you finish. Crikey! And I thought the first hill was the biggest challenge! But we were penned in, and the only way was up! Literally.
The first part of the route was up through the town where it was great to see so many local people out cheering us on our way… or were they showing empathy for what lay ahead?
After a turn off through a couple of houses we were on quite a long stretch of lung busting wooden steps, or through a forest if you had some local knowledge, then up a track, then another track and on to Eildon Hill North which, at 404m doesn’t seem like a big climb but boy was it steep! Add to that the heather, nettles and shale, it was quite tough going. I managed to sustain a steady pace and started biting the ankles of a lady from Morpeth Harriers, but she wasn’t going to let me get past. Determined to get her at the top, I was gutted when my shoe lace came undone and I had to stop to fasten it resulting in her gaining a little distance on me. But the weather gods were on my side and just after that a huge gust of wind blew off her cap and she had to take a detour to get it. That gave me the opportunity to show her a dirty pair of heels as I passed her. I think people have different strengths in fell running and downhill is definitely my strength, so I was fortunate that the next part was a long downhill stretch which helped me gain even more advantage and I managed to keep that blue Morpeth vest behind me for the rest of the race!
The next hill, Wester Hill, at 371m climb wasn’t too troublesome but on the way to the final big climb, Mid Hill (422m) a herd of Galloway cows decided to stampede across the route. The Gala Harrier who was in front of me re-routed up the side of a small hill. I followed her but came a cropper as it was very rough and uneven. My ankle turned and I fell over. After a few expletives, I stood up, composed myself and off I went knowing that the last big climb was in sight, and it was downhill all the way home after that.
Another slog to the top but it was breezy and raining by this time which was a very welcome break from the heat and humidity of the day!
I was greeted by Julie, Simon and Olly… so lovely to hear familiar voices and cheers to get me through the last section.
The fantastic mountain rescue guys were on the downward part cheering everyone on and as I re traced my steps down the tracks and onto the tarmac of the town (with not a Morpeth Harrier in sight!) I was greeted by Julie, Simon and Olly… so lovely to hear familiar voices and cheers to get me through the last section. No sooner had I turned the bend onto the main street and the rest of the Saltwell contingent were near the end – again, so needed after all that exertion and knowing that the finish line was so close.
My husband, Jimmy (of the long-suffering variety apparently) was waiting right near the finish to encourage one final push. He’d been taking photos at the bottom of the first hill so managed to get some good shots of everyone – except me. My legs and lungs hadn’t quite worked out what was happening at that point.
We were all presented with a lovely wooden medal and a can of beer. Very refreshing!
The prize-giving is always one of my favourite parts of post fell running. I like to call it the ‘results huddle.’ A small group of people celebrating one another, and I love seeing participants of all ages and abilities taking part in this amazing sport and winning prizes. None for me this time but I did get a second place in my age category which puts me on cloud nine!
Being part of Saltwell again is so encouraging and has ignited my love of something I’ve really missed.
I started fell racing around thirteen years ago but had a hiatus when I wasn’t in a club. Being part of Saltwell again is so encouraging and has ignited my love of something I’ve really missed. Recognition that, for someone of my ability, it’s not a sport that has immediate impact in terms of great times but is rather something that has to be honed and improved year on year, but if you’re willing to put in the effort, the pay off in terms of sense of achievement is massive.
…no race gives me that incredible feeling that I get when I’m running in the hills with like-minded people who are supportive and genuinely want everyone to do well.
I’ve ran marathons, 10ks, 5ks, trail runs, and even ran ‘The Wall’ ultramarathon in its early days, but no race gives me that incredible feeling that I get when I’m running in the hills with like-minded people who are supportive and genuinely want everyone to do well.
Fell running, as tough as it is, crosses all boundaries of class, age and gender. And as a working class, F60 category runner who’s trying hard to give it everything, it means a lot to me to be welcomed and supported by Saltwell Harriers’ into the fell running community and to be part of this year’s fell series.
And finally, it always humbles me to think of the bravery of the men and women of the Kinder Scout mass trespass in 1932 who fought, won and inspired access to most of the hills across the UK in order that people like me, and you, can get out there and enjoy the freedom to roam that once wasn’t there.
So why not think about getting out there yourself to roam, to run, to recce and to enjoy being part of this fantastic community of fell runners?
We might even see you at Eildon next year!
Hilary Shaw