From Kate Archer…
A 55-mile race that follows the Cleveland Way from Guisborough to Helmsley. This was my first Hardmoors race, but hopefully won’t be my last. The whole event was so well organised and friendly. At 6am runners were coached from Helmsley market square to the race start. It seemed a long drive and I was wondering why I had thought this was a good idea. The race started at 8am, in the rain. The first section is a long climb up to Roseberry Topping, where there is an out and back and the chance to see the lead runners, then on to the first proper checkpoint at Kildale at 11 miles. I picked up a few snacks for the long stretch over the North York moors. Not the most interesting section and seemed to go on forever. Despite being damp and windy, I was getting quite hot and wished I had packed a t-shirt. Then there are three hills, ‘the three sisters’, to contend with. I had been holding back until this point but felt strong going over the hills and started picking up a few places. Another checkpoint in the beautiful village of Osmotherley at 30 miles, this time there was hot soup and rice pudding. I was told I was in third, so no hanging around. A long pull up, during which I passed the lady in second, and that’s most of the climb done (at least that’s what I’m telling myself at this point). A few miles along a ridge to Sutton Bank, then runners are diverted from the Cleveland Way for a loop of the White Horse. Slightly cruel as it means a steep climb back up to the path. At the diversion point I saw the lady in first, so she was about 30 minutes ahead, no chance of catching her. I enjoyed the final leg, mostly downhill but with some muddy tracks and paths through some woods, back to Helmsley. I was pleased to arrive before it got dark, and before the heavy rain set in, which must have made those last few miles unpleasant for runners still on the course. I
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finished 24th (of 237 finishers), 2nd F, in a time of 10:09.