Loosener with some sprints and strides

Chilly loosener

Kicking-off the 2026 running in style with Tim

Stunning explore above Derwent Reservoir

Wormstones Fell Race - 14th / 240 and dressed as Santa (partly)

Very happy with that, max effort on this one. My first official road race, unbelievably! A really tough, undulating and unforgiving course, and as a result a full test of my climbing, speed, and finish resilience capacity. Many thanks to Robin Leathley and co. for the brilliant organisation and smooth running of the event, such a great atmosphere and setting, and a bonus to have a discounted pizza with a pint at the Paper Mill Inn afterwards to refuel! 
Once I got the full jist of the route beforehand and realised that we would indeed be lapping ourselves on the end bit past the Stephanie factory where we started, it all of a sudden felt very real. On the dong of 19:30, we were off! Actually felt the start pace was reasonable and had no issues with bottlenecks or getting caught out setting off too fast, the climb from Whitehough was a saving grace in a way as it soon approached so there wasn't too much opportunity to get carried away with the flat running on the tramway. Climbing definitely the strong point of tonight overall, got into a good rhythm on first climb to Charley Lane junction and then up Eccles Road, just holding on to the top, maybe hammered it a little too hard on the first part😅. Soon picked the speed up for the descent down Eccles Road, but despite this, Stefan shot past me at immense speed, making it feel like I was going slower than I actually was! Sharp expected right turn then followed to drop down the steeep road to Western Lane, got into some nice pacing here and could really let the legs go, knowing that was the climbing (mostly done), and setting me up for a 5k and a few shorter Strava records. Then onto Western Lane, it was eye balls out, can't really call it anything else than that. This is where the speed and endurance training really comes in, and there is no-where to hide. The momentum and gravitational advantage gained from the descent off Eccles Pike down to the Navigation soon faded on the tramway trail, therefore more a matter of pushing the limits with the legs. Just about held on and managed one last push past the factory, Stefan not far behind, which then resulted in some hilarious, painful facial expressions coming up the sharp lane to end back into Whitehough and finally into the Old Hall Inn courtyard.. thank goodness for that.
Great to experience this road race, have been wanting to do it for a few years. It was an interesting test and variation to the fell/trail running, where there's not even gates or stiles or a bit of loose terrain to provide some respite from the fast running. The location really does make this a road race like no other. A great result, with the highlights definitely being the climbing and descending on the latter half👍. Good to get the GDH vest back on too, long overdue!

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James Stubbs

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Loosener with some sprints and strides

Chilly loosener

Kicking-off the 2026 running in style with Tim

Stunning explore above Derwent Reservoir

Wormstones Fell Race - 14th / 240 and dressed as Santa (partly)

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