Anniversary Waltz - 20th April 2013

Start of the race from the foot of Cat Bells on a really fine Lakes day. (Thanks to Andy Russell of NFR for th photo).

For those who don’t know, the idea for this race was born seventeen years ago out of the marriage of Steve and Wynn Cliff, which took place in the little church at Little Town in the Newlands Valley. They fell in love with the place so much they decided to do something for the local community and so they organised this race to raise money for the village hall. The race already  has the reputation as a classic and a must do early season race for many fell runners.

For a mere £8.00 you get to run 12 miles with 4200 feet of climbing which takes in the summits of Robinson, Hindscarth, Dalehead, High Spy, Maiden Moor (if you want to) and last but not least, the fearsome Catbells. During those few miles it manages to cater for the preferences of most types of runner or even outdoor enthusiast.  There is even free food and real ale at the finish.

The race is held just outside the tiny hamlet of Stair in the Newlands Valley just west of Keswick. It begins with an uphill dash through a field which XC experts might appreciate.  A bottleneck though a gate leads to a short stretch of road which gives way to two and a half miles of good running on a gently undulating track that is sure to keep trail addicts happy. Then the serious stuff starts with a long steep climb up the first hill, Robinson which will surely be appreciated by any keen fell walkers in the field. Half way up there is even an optional bit of scrambling for rock climbers to enjoy.

At the top, whilst catching your breath, take a moment to savour the views of the broad sunlit uplands that surround you before you embark on a wonderfully fast grassy descent on your still fresh legs down Littledale Edge. At the bottom you turn North for a brief detour to Hindscarth the second summit of the day. Reversing your route, another fast down hill run leads to another short climb along a ridge onto the spacious summit of Dalehead, the highest point of the race.  This summit can be recognised even in the thickest mist by its large rather beautiful and finely proportioned cairn.

If you'd like to skip DJ's route description - then here's the Harvey's map !

Now you have a decision to make before setting off for your next objective, a long descent to Dalehead Tarn.  There are three possibilities and once again the race gracefully caters for a variety of preferences. You can head left and go safely down the walker’s path or, if you think your legs can take the strain, take the direct route down a steep grassy but in parts rather rocky slope. The third option is strictly for the connoisseur because you head off in completely the wrong direction and pelt down grass on an easy gradient before sweeping back left to the tarn. This is the longest way and it needs either some prior knowledge to find it, or a confident looking local vest to follow.

Just before the tarn there are some streams and it can be useful to know that this is your last chance for some free liquid refreshment until you reach the beer at the finish.

The tarn also marks the point where you thankfully turn for home, but first you are rather cruelly forced to go 500 feet up hill. This is actually the second biggest climb of the day and takes you to the summit of High Spy, another finely cairned hill.

There is a reward for your efforts in the form of a gentle descent and a more or less flat section. There are a few minor route options available hereabouts as you don’t actually have to go to the top of the next hill, Maiden Moor. Now comes another exhilarating downhill, if your legs will cooperate, but it’s tempered by the view of yet another hill that you have to climb. At least Catbells is the last one and it’s well to have a bit in reserve here because the descent down the other side is rather steep.

Oh, and there is one last obstacle to get over here, often literally, as Catbells is usually festooned with walkers of all ages and all stages of decrepitude. So before you start going down you may have to push one or two over the edge to clear your way. On the plus side they can be useful to break your fall should your legs completely give way.

And now you can see the finish so you set off on a final madcap rush on legs which will undoubtedly be screaming out for mercy. Not before time you rejoin the trail that you started out on a few hours before and the angle eases. Down you go along the road, turn into the field and career down the same bit of grassy pasture to collapse in a heap at the finishing line. It’s over, well almost because now you have to try and stand up again to walk half a mile to the village hall. There is however the heavenly prospect of free beer and food to spur you on.

This year, three Polyfellers, four if you count yours truly who accidentally brought the wrong colour vest ;-)) (again), (well it was an NFR championship race), took part in the race.  It was a very experienced squad who lived up to their hardly won reputation by trotting out a variety of plausible excuses before the start of the race. I was sorely lacking in hill work this year.  Martin had only been doing an average of fifteen miles a week of late. Trevor had tapered by doing his usual seventy miles a week and Mal had been out for a long day on the fells the day before.

As well as the Poly, there were also squads from several other local clubs, notably Esk Valley, Saltwell Harriers, NFR and South Shields with the latter two in particular having some handy runners out.

Conditions were pretty good and it was a sunny, but slightly cool day. There was a headwind for the first half of the race which is just what you want when you are mainly going up hill but at least all the snow and ice had finally melted.

We started on time at 11am with the traditional cavalry charge for the farm gate. Martin soon vanished into the distance and Trevor was off like a rocket as well. I tried in vain to keep up but just succeeded in half wrecking myself and fended up feeling so bad I almost packed it in. I consoled myself with the thought I'd get him back on the climb. I noticed Mal was doggedly sticking to my heels.

I saw Trevor take the direct route to the ridge but I followed the fell running legend that is Wendy Dodds, on a rising traverse to join the ridge closer to the summit.

I lost sight of Mal here who may have taken the same route as Trevor. When I reached the top of Robinson I thought I saw the Poly vest of Martin already starting the climb up to Hindscarth. I wouldn't see him gain in the race I thought to myself, but likewise I didn't expect to see Trevor again either. I was confident that I had sneaked ahead of him on the way up. I enjoyed the blast down Little Dale Edge but my enjoyment was spoiled and my  morale took a knock when I caught a brief glimpse of Trevor coming down from Hindscarth and going well, as I was still going up it.

On the way up Dalehead I caught a lad from Saltwell Harriers and we had a brief natter before I drew ahead. As usual I opted for the direct route to the tarn and this time it didn't feel too bad and I was thinking I had managed to keep up a decent speed until the Saltwell Lad caught me. We briefly resumed our conversation until he began to pull ahead

Then I saw Trevor just ahead and I increased my speed and caught him on the start of the climb up High Spy. He said he was tired, or words to that affect so I offered him the last of my energy drink which he gratefully accepted. I made a real effort to get far ahead on the climb because I thought he might catch me on the flatter terrain that was to come.

As Ia result I  once again caught up with Saltwell Man and in fact I exchanged places with him twice more before I unexpectedly had the last laugh and passed him on the way up Catbells. I was sure though that he would get me on the downhill run in to the finish. Halfway down I heard footsteps rapidly closing in and I thought, “Here he comes”. But it wasn't him, it was a long legged lady from Cumberland Fell Runners who was fairly tearing down the hill. She flew past me and I tried to respond and catch her but failed dismally, although I did manage to pass a chap from faraway Exmoor Harriers just before the finish line.

As expected, Martin Frost was the first Poly runner home in a very creditable 2 hours 18 minutes and with the loss of only two toenails.  I finished some 13 minutes later but with all nails intact, just in time to see Martin suffer such an attack of cramp that he couldn’t reach to get his socks off. I was about to offer assistance until I realised the abominable sight that removing the aforesaid garments would undoubtedly reveal.

Five minutes later along came Trevor Wakenshaw who with a malicious smirk revealed that just before he had taken the last of my water, he had drunk his fill from a nearby stream!! Needless to say several four letter words immediately sprung to mind when I learned this.  Next to finish was Mal Slater who crossed the line in 2 hours 43 minutes. Hot soup, a freshly baked roll, a beer and a few words with the great Wendy Dodds completed yet another excellent day of Lakeland fell racing

The race was won by local runner Carl Bell in 1 hour 34 minutes, who has now won the last three Lakeland races. Olivia Walwyn was first lady only 15 minutes behind him.

Results here :http://www.anniversarywaltz.co.uk/?p=293

David Johnson