A checkpoint on day 1

Calder Valley dominated the “mixed pairs” categories at the RAB Mountain Marathon last weekend (24th to 25th Sep).

Held this year from Bethesda in Snowdonia, the competition is a “score” format: visit as many checkpoints dotted in the mountains as possible in 6 hours on Saturday on your way to the overnight camp, carrying tent, stove and all the equipment you need for a night in the wilds. Then run back next day, visiting more checkpoints in a maximum allowed time of 5 hours. The leaders cover 20+ miles on Saturday and only a little less again on the Sunday, climbing something like 12,000′ of ascent over the weekend.

There were 300 teams doing the standard course in this year’s competition, including 70 mixed pairs, and CVFR (with the help of an honorary associate from Hertfordshire!) filled the first three mixed pair placings: Anne & Bill Johnson 6th overall, Barbara Lonsdale with Jon Moulding 13th overall (and first mixed non-vets) and Jackie & Phil Scarf 20th overall.

In all, a dozen club members took part in the event – those five plus Charlie Boyce (21st in the Elite class with Peter Bowles), Clare Kenny (47th, with Nick Harris), Jez Wilkinson (103rd with Andy Hide), Jonathan & Jo Emberton (157th), Linda Murgatroyd & Helen Lambert (162nd).

The standard course winner was Steve Watkins of Baildon Runners, and the elite winners were Bob Johnston (Dark Peak) and Charles Stead (NFR).