Mow Cop Hill Race – Up, down and back again!
Sunday 7th April 2013 – 6.5 Mile & 1,300ft ascent
Mow Cop Hill Race
Interactive map by Brian Dale (Racephotos.org.uk)
No race for us today as we are marshaling, although Clare completed the 3 shires LDWA 29 mile race yesterday and I ran along the Gritstone Trail, then Dane valley to meet Clare at the finish. Along the way I practiced navigation using my new Garmin 62stc.
Sunday at 11am was the start of the 4th Mow Cop Hill Race from the village hall of Mount Pleasent. 100 runners from clubs as close as Staffs moorlands & Congleton Harriers to as far as Lytham St Annes and Eryri. Just to warm up the legs and to get the heart pumping the runners hit the steep climb of the ‘The Brake‘.
Father & Daughter Marshall’s for the day
It wasn’t long before the runners past me and 4 other Marshall’s Wain, Charlotte, Emma Cathy. We had been tasked to keep the runners safe at the road junction on Tower Hill, just past the ‘Mow Cop Castle‘ . It was then time for the runners to leave Staffordshire and enter the county of Cheshire, following the Gritstone, and the old Mow cop trail, also the Staffordshire way. On the ridge there far reaching views to the snow capped mountains of Wales, across the Cheshire Plane to Liverpool, Shropshire & the Long Mynd and to the North East the Peak District. But with runners focusing on the race there would be no time to admire the views this time.
Mow Cop Hill Race
It’s all about taking part
After descending through fields, bog, road, track and ‘Snow Drifts’ it was time for the runners to climb back up towards the summit of Mow Cop. The climb up from Ackers Crossing is a slog, at the top edge of Hanging Woods there’s a hard packed snowdrift! Which during the recent Arctic weather developed into a Snow Cornice.
We then saw the lead runners edging their way across the field towards the Old Man of Mow and their way home. Keeping the runners safe we would alert the other marshals of the imminent runners and keep safe when crossing. The lead runners passed us quickly and then the steady flow of runners tiredly headed home over the last mile, mainly down hill.
There was a tight battle for the men’s 1st and 2nd place between Damian Nicholls and Jack Ross. Damian manged to secure 1st place by 20 seconds ( 43:41 ), with only 70 seconds separating the top 4 places. ( Full results ).
The first lady was Kerry Merchant in an impressive 53:48, followed by Debbie Hope in 57:15 ( Full results ).
Presentations, cake, plenty of cake would await the runners back at the hall.
The awards were presented by the Chairman and race organiser Geoff Petengall.
Mow Cop Hill Race
Spread the word of this great little gem for next year and come along to support or tackle the delights of Mow Cop.
Race photos and video can be seen on www.racephotos.org.uk.