Settle Marathon

The day was great, despite very mixed weather. We set off in a few spots of rain, which then increased to a light drizzle...... and then a heavier one....... and eventually a soaking one...... before the clouds finally took a break and the last third of the course was completed in beautiful sunshine.

We arrived first at the first checkpoint (after 7 miles) but whilst taking on water and a sandwich the eventual winner came in, handed over his check tag and left immediately, never to be seen again!
No-one else overtook us however and we reached the 2nd check-point in 2nd place.

Then, I shamefully admit, we got talking and I missed a turn in the mist over boggy Calton Moor. Sometime later it dawned on me that that we were walking toward the sun and must therefore be heading slightly south of east instead of north east.

Time to get serious again and after perusing the ordnance survey map and compass we set off to intersect the course - having wasted about 30mins and gone an extra couple of miles or so in the meantime. It cost us dearly; arriving at the 3rd checkpoint we had dropped into 15th place. After that we stayed on track and overtook six of those who had taken advantage of our "moorland meanderings"!

Neither official times nor placings were given as the organisers had not wanted this to be a race, but we're confident we were in the top 10 out of the 650 who took part in the 26-mile course. Total turnout was something like 2,300 but most of these did the 14-mile course.

It was an enjoyable experience and I was proud to walk for Kirkwood Hospice.

Martyn Smith