We had four runners complete the Rombald Stride on Saturday February 4. Congratulations to Phil Livermore, who won it with a magnificent time of 2:58. In any conditions that would be a superb result, but even more so given pretty constantly falling snow and very sloppy stuff underfoot for many miles. Here is Phil’s race report:
Although not really a fell race (strictly it’s a long walk event but half the entrants seem to run) it has all the hallmarks of a traditional event : plenty of mud, some hills and even a pie at the end.
After beginning in Guiseley, the route takes you up over Baildon Moor, around a complete loop of Ilkley moor and then up, down and up again on the Chevin before a descent to where you began 23 miles earlier.
The conditions this year were cold and damp , drizzle at low levels and snow on the tops. Probably rather cold for walking, and certainly cold for the marshals who braved the conditions to support the event.
Several runners from North Leeds turned out, including myself. After running it last year and not being particularly “at the front”, I was somewhat surprised to find myself in first place at White Wells on Ilkley moor, about 15 miles into the course. I was glad that I had thoroughly revised the route as it is not flagged and had no-one to follow. I must have paced all of it well too, as my energy levels didn’t crash at the bottom of the Chevin as they had done the previous year. This was probably made possible by the power of cheese and pickle sandwiches! (A tip from Jack Wood.)
As a trophy I was presented with a whisky decanter. Now I just need to try it out…
(No, he didn’t get to take home all those rice puddings.)
