From Dave Robson…
Back on my quest for different events, I found two fell races with a theme this week…….
The first required a trip across the border into Lancashire for the Wray Caton Moor (& Scarecrows) Fell Race. It’s one of those great, low key races where you park on the village green & pay a fiver on the day. As part of the Scarecrow festival, the race has the bonus of providing a collection of giant scarecrows to run past during your warm up. The course is just over 6 miles with 335 metres of tough but runnable climb in the first half, up to the turnaround at the trig point. The route back is fast and grassy with excellent views back across to the Yorkshire Dales.
The second event was ‘The Cake Race’. A 10 miler on Saddleworth Moor, including a bit of the Pennine Way, and around 450 metres total ascent. After the initial climb onto the moor, the middle section is fast and more like a trail race around several reservoirs. There is then a tough section, down and up some steep stone steps before the final climb back over the moor and a downhill blast back into the village. The reward for finishing, is as much cake as you can eat, back at race HQ, the Diggle Band Club.
Both races were well organised, flagged & marshalled, so no navigation or recces are required if you fancy a go at either. Fell shoes were better for Wray (some boggy and tussocky bits), but trail shoes were definitely the best option for the Cake Race.
I think I was 13th at Wray (results still to be released) and 23rd at the Cake Race.