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| Running for home - as Garry Robson descends the final hill for the track run to the line. |
Esk Valley put on the second Clay Bank run of the year - starting over the other side of the road from Clay Bank East. A bright and sunny run down to the North Yorks Moor meant we were set for a cold and icy run on the moors.
An awkward start was on a narrow, muddy forest trail as 117 runners were stood 7 abreast . There is an initial climb through the woods until you break out at the edge of the moors. By this stage both Garry and Will were in close contact with the head of the field ,weaving along the slightly downward trail edging the moors. The jagged crags confronted us to the south ,so it was just a matter of time before we had to turn and face the hills.
Breaking south the climbing in earnest commenced. It was at this point I spotted an Alnwick Harriers vest up ahead about 250m . My initial reaction was Bruce Crombie must be in some bother - but he didn't look any worse than usual at the start. After some further reflection running through the roll call of Alnwick runners ( all of whom look more or less the same apart from Danny Richardson and the girls) , it suddenly dawned that it could be nemesis Andy Squire. The race to track down William Robson became an even more urgent one to beat Andy Squire . As the route clipped across the Cleveland Way (on what they call wainstones - basically rock slabs scrubbed with morning ice as an extra treat) - I began to lose time and places running wide as Andy dipped in and out of view. His progress was pretty legthargic to. Even the threat of a rampant DJ roaming in the gloaming didn't seem to inspire a risky traverse.
The route reaches a high point at 402 m at the Wainstones Hill - and with another summit left to cross at White Hill. By this stage , yompers were out with their Everest finery and Kendal mintcake adding more hurdles. At White Hill and closing in on the finish , there was a route choice. The standard route path with its yomper creased line looked slow and awkward - the other option down through the heather offered a faster if riskier line . I went for broke on the heather and just hoped there was nothing nasty underfoot. At this point Andy came into view again on the tourist path as he haltingly ground a line down. By the time I hit the forest track for the run in - his advantage was down to about 150m (and unlike his strikes off my shoulder - he was oblivious of my presence).
A flying descent across mud made for a risky run in - but with metres running out , Andy was to make it over with about 20 m to spare. Unpleasantries were duly exchanged - while battle was joined for the next time.
Moments later the day was completed as the grinning Dave Johnson , replete with his lilac daubed vest cheerfully announced another PB and that the Poly were 1 runner short of a full team. It was fish and chips for the Robsons to follow at Whitby as they re energised after another fine showing - Garry still able to offer the experience of age.
The overall winner came from DFR Peter Bray in 31m 30 s. Lee Bennett of Elswick came in 4th , with Alnwick's Bruce Crombie just behind. 14. Garry Robson 35 m 20 ; 30. William Robson 37m 55s; 40. Barry Young 40m 48 s; 50. Dave Johnson 43m 52 s
Full results : http://www.eskvalleyfellclub.org/results/fell/nehra/Clay%20Bank%20West%2010-Nov-2013.pdf
