Simonside Cairns

Rothbury, Sunday, December 11, 2011

BM / 11M / 1772' (revised to 10.4M 1670' due to ice)

Phil Owen

Headed up to the lovely Rothbury for the Simonside Cairns fell race. It wasn’t that long ago I was near there doing the Thropton Show fell race, a shorter race that comes up from Thropton to the front ‘face’ of the rocky outcrop that is Simonside cairn. Mind this is a bit more of a fell being 11 mile and 1770ft ascent. Registration is at the Castle pub in the heart of Rothbury which is always a good sign of a great race in my book with the start and finish just outside. Mud people, Dougie and myself were running for Striders and a host of friends also entered so a lot of chat beforehand.

Dougie had said he was going to toddle along as his legs were feeling the previous days NE cross country championships. As usual I was in the same boat after giving my legs a pounding at football and then a late run on Saturday eve. Truth is I run these races for the scenery and training and rarely have fresh legs. When your main races are one hundred mile plus you need to gets used to running on tired legs.

Of we went through a narrow high walled lane and up a tarmac road with a fairly steep hill. I’m rubbish up hill and my legs didn’t want to know so I was soon behind. When we reached the Fells I picked up and started to pass folk. Two runners came past with in injured runner holding what looked like a cut above his eye. Quick chat and he was well looked after so I moved on.

The moors got very muddy which suits me and I was soon back in the fray. A look back and I could see a long line with Dougie lolling along as he said he would. I got to chatting to lass who was doing her first fell race here as we ploughed through the deep mud. As is usual with these fells its all uphill but it soon evened out at some woodlands. The lass I chatted as we flew down the woodland hill, loving the run, laughing and joking, not a care in the world including those pesky little bits of red and white tape which we completely missed!

After a mile of so we hit a track and bore left. Now before we hit the wood we were just behind a long single file group and after ten minutes running (and gabbing) we both thought, hang on, there should be folk behind us. Maps out and it was soon apparent we missed the turnoff in the woods. Never mind, the track we were on would lead us back to the route and sure enough it did.

Mind another runner was looking in the wood for the route and wouldn’t believe me it was the other way (I don’t blame him). Duly took his number and we moved on and soon came to the break in the trees with the Simonside cairn in view. At this point we could see some other runners and the lass shouted that was her mum who had to be beat so after plodding round we now put a spurt on. Passed her mum near the cairn and from here it was all downhill over lovely moor and forest trail with Christmas tree lights round the trees and carols playing on a little cd player. Soon back at the finish and into the pub for a nice pint after covering nearly 14 miles of the 11 mile race. Bonus miles! Happy days 🙂

Results

Pos Name Club Cat Pos Time
1 James Taylor NFR M 1.18.15
16 Karen Robertson NFR FV40 1 1.29.19
56 Geoff Davis NFR MV50 1.44.50
68 Susan Davis NFR FV50 1 1.50.15
81 Dougie Nisbet DFR MV45 2.08.00
87 Phil Owen MV45 2.20.18

90 finishers.

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