The Rainow 5, 751' BS

I enjoyed the Rainow 5 so much last year that I just had to come back and do it again.  I saw a few faces I haven't seen in a while, which was nice.   The weather was not that bright so, unfortunately, photo opportunities were few.  Dark skies couldn't spoil a good race however, they just added a different character and good fun was had, even if tree roots were a bit hard to spot at times.

 White Nancy - Last year's bi-centenary mural is now  completely hidden under a fresh coat of white.

I parked in Bollington as I did last year.  It's too far to drive home first, so I came straight from work and had plenty of time to spare.  I ate half the sandwiches that I had brought with me, oriented my map and set off for Rainow 'Institute'.

The walk to Rainow Institute for the start of the five is about two miles and was a very pleasant way to use some of the time I had to spare.  There are several squeeze stiles of an unusual type made from upright stone slabs, which I found fascinating, on route.

By the time I got halfway there, the patchy sunshine disappeared altogether and the sky became heavily overcast.  There was a slight chill in the air, but it was never actually cold.  Cool enough to keep a lot of the runners in the hall until close to start time though.  I was pleased to see Ian Ankers and Debbie Hill among the runners gathered, it has been some time since I have seen either of them.  Eventually we poured out onto the road and many kept windproofs on until the throng was called to order for the briefing and then start.

A good turnout again.  The start is on the road, though the route goes left onto trail shortly.  Dark enough for the auto flash to fire, hence the 'luminous' legs.

I made a fast start, this was deliberate.  Last year I had found that I was capable of a good speed on the descending trail.  However it is quite difficult to pass and so easy to get held at an uncomfortable pace.  A good start also ensures earlier arrival at the first stile and shorter queues.  However, being deeper in the midst of the pack meant that I encountered slower passage through subsequent stiles than I did last year.

At the first stile.  The fast start cut the queue in front of me to about a third of what it was last year.

Looking down to Bollington before the climb up to White Nancy became steep.  The lighting here gives a pretty good impression of actual conditions.

Someone, somewhere has probably got some good video footage of the ascent up to the monument (ed. it's here).  There was a drone hovering to our right for the whole of the time that I could see.

Whoever was flying seemed to have good control as the craft was almost completely stationary in the gusty breeze.  The falling cost of these things has really changed the way things like fell running can be documented.

Unusually, I had passed both Debbie and Ian very early on and they did not catch me again.    I had looked forward to chasing them, that used to be a good pace for me.  I caught up with a small packet of runners on the ascent to White Nancy.  I lost a few places when I stopped for my photo, the poor light ruled out shooting on the hoof.   As the race continued the packet strung out, we were rarely abreast, but traded places quite frequently all the way to the finish.

The run along the Saddle of Kerridge is a real pleasure.  I know of few ridges of such modest elevation with such lovely aspects.  It was too dark for photos this year I am afraid, last years can be found here (the 'landing' photo in this link is one of my most cherished running images).

Tree roots, rocks and steps all contribute to making the descent 'fun',  the poor light added to the interest.  There were no mishaps to my knowledge.  I remembered to save some energy for the route back this year.  I gained a few more places, but tripped at one point.  I managed to stay upright by running forward faster than I was falling, if you know what I mean (and if you are a fell or trail runner I am sure you do).

I ran hard on the last of the track and sprinted down the road to the finish.  There was someone on my heels and I thought it might be fun to try to hold them off (I managed by seven seconds).  Two other runners, however, passed us both yards from the line so that the three of us finished each only a second apart.

I felt some sharp stabs in my knee on the final ascent, but the pain had no real legacy.  I was more than 2.5 minutes faster than last year, which is heartening, in fact I was third in my category!  Actually this position was just a quirk due to the times of other M55s, if I had run as an M60 I would have been 6th!  Special congrats. to the first M70 who was back in a staggering 44.12!  Links to full results and other stuff on the Macc' Harriers site.

A few of the runners after the finish, Ian Ankers on the right of the group.

Thanks to the organisers and marshals for this excellent event, and to Rainow Guides for the tea, cakes and service. The Rainow five is now an automatic inclusion in my annual event list.