From John Hayes…
This is one of the Punk Punk Panther races. I ran the 20 mile race (along with Colm McCann, Alex Lewis, Clare Boyle and Sarah Hayes). Other Harriers far tougher than me (Keith Wood, Lynn Donohue and John Pickering) conquered the 34 mile event. There were some brilliant performances all round, so well done everyone. Special congratulations to Keith and Lynn who both scooped age category wins.
The route is lovely and was enhanced by glorious sunshine this year. In the first part of the race above Askwith, I found myself running in a small group of four. I always seemed to be last through the (numerous) gates. I slotted diligently into my role as the gate shutter. This meant I was always trying to catch them up after every gate. Eventually I dropped off the back. But this just slowed me down more as I had to open and shut the gates on my own. For a long stretch in the middle, I saw no other runner. I knew I was going the right way and deluded myself that everyone else must have got lost in the back lanes of Burley or the myriad of paths over the Otley Chevin. Eventually another small group overtook me. I tried forlornly to keep up with them but I kept having to shut more gates. As my legs tired, I discovered the 20 mile route is in fact about 21.5 miles long. I suppose this gives you more for your money… The race finishes in a large old church hall with food and cakes, cups of tea and yummy little tubs of Wotsits. I have now designated these as my favourite post-race recovery food. But I still feel exhausted, making me in awe of those who braved the 34 mile race. I hope there were some Wotsits left when they finished. If not, I owe each of them an apology and a huge tub full!