Jordan gives Grisedale a go
After having a crack at the crowden horseshoe a few weeks back the time had come to elevate my fell running journey quite literally to the next level. This time around the challenge was going to involve much more ascent and descent along technical terrain as well as a scramble to the summit of England’s third highest mountain. The Race in question being the Achille Climbing Club Lakeland classic, The Grisedale Horseshoe. Starting off and finishing at the Glenridding village hall, this 10 mile route takes in the summits of Catsye Cam, Helvellyn via Swirrall edge, Dollywagon pike and St Sunday Crag taking in a minimum of 1500 metres of ascent (depending on your route choice between checkpoints).
After arriving at the village hall and going through the mandatory kit check prior to the race (map, compass, full waterproof body cover with taped seams, hat, gloves whistle and emergency food) I soaked up the buzzing friendly atmosphere of my very first Lake District fell race in truly perfect summer conditions with not a cloud in the sky. Completely pumped and ready to go wearing my Pennine Fell runners club vest with pride, myself and 162 other runners set off on what would prove to be one of, if not the hardest physical challenges I’ve ever undertaken.
Finding a pace in this race initially proved difficult and after making my way along the tops of Helvellyn and Dollywagon pike followed what felt like a never ending descent down to Grisedale tarn. At which point my legs felt well and truly done in. Working my way up St Sunday crag with some serious determination it was then time for another big descent down to the barn checkpoint and river crossing. After getting down to this point in whichever way possible, wading through the river and joking with another runner about us needing new knees at the end of the race, it was here that the real sting in the tale came. A whopping 500m vertical climb through dense bracken and ferns. Not really what I needed at this point in the race! Literally crawling to the top along with fellow competitors egging each other on to dig deep and get it done, the end finally came aided by a group of supportive race marshalls cheering us on at the penultimate checkpoint. It was at this point I heard the words ‘it’s all downhill from here’ and the endorphin buzz fully kicked in. Hoofing it through the bracken and uneven terrain I made my way back to civilisation by trying to emulate the Crowden sprint finish which rewarded me with cramped hamstrings but nonetheless saw me cheered to the finish before collapsing on the floor only to be revived by a race Marshall congratulating me with a cup of water and a big Well done!
Finishing in 2 hours 55 minutes in 82nd place, it’s safe to say I’m pretty chuffed with the result especially being my debut race in the true home of fell running. Signing off for now with a special thanks to Haglofs for supplying me with a warm hat (should I need it) as well as to SILVA for the essential ranger compass, both bits of kit being mandatory items that you are required to show at the kit check stage.
