Filey 5.45 am
The bus took us from the school in Filey, to Guisborough, a journey by road of just under 50 miles, so we could run back to Filey along the scenic route. I can see why some might think this is a bit strange. However there are a number of checkpoints along the way, with splendid arrays of cakes, biscuits, chocolate, Chia Charge flapjack, and a selection of drinks including cola, coffee and tea. So, it's kind of an "all you can eat for £45" meal deal. You simply have to run between courses.
Guisborough Rugby Club
Kitcheck and registration is busy, final adjustments to straps and gear, the RO's final instructions are over, so we make our way outside, and we are off shortly after 8 am.
Immediately there is a steep climb in the woods, up to High Cliff Nab. I had run in these woods with Ultra Runner Moorsman, in July 2013, today's climb was harder. It seems the start of the race is a closely guarded secret until race day. There was relief all round on reaching the top and the Cleveland Way stretched out before us.
We ran through Guisborough woods and to Slapewath where a surprise cheeky checkpoint checked our progress and ability to stick to the proper route. We crossed the main road, after the hard climb up, we then ran along Airy Hill Lane racing chasing and overtaking.
After passing through Skelton we followed the path through the woods, under Skelton Beck viaduct which years ago was deemed picture post card material, then on to Saltburn-by-the-Sea.
Steve running across Skelton Beck on an earlier recce.
We all had a hearty welcome at the Vista Mar checkpoint, Jon Steele and Shirley were there, with a lot of other people who were cheering, we had our photos taken, and were invited to help ourselves to the lovely selection of food, it was the closest I have come to feeling like visiting royalty at a garden party, I could have stayed longer but had to keep moving, just a hunch I had a long day ahead. All we need to do now is keep the sea to the left, till we get to Filey. I was running on my own still, and didn't know where Steve and Andreas were.
Up to Hunt Cliff and the site of a fortified Roman signal station, then along Cattersty Cliff, down the path to Cattersty Sands, the natural sand beach at Skinningrove, home of the famous Skinningrove Homing Society. The prize pigeons played an important part in World War II, local fanciers donated many birds to the Ministry of Defence and they flew messages in the Invasion of Europe. They were also carried by RAF crews to alert their position when they were in dinghies shot down in the North Sea, awaiting rescue by Royal Navy craft.
Passing by the Homing Society of the other long distance racing brothers and sisters, from here there is a climb up to Hummersea point, followed by lovely cliff top running, through Boulby then on to Staithes; running down the steep road to the harbour and then through the narrow streets, you are soon running round Beacon Hill, veer left of Port Mulgrave, and then arrive at Runswick Bay. Between Staithes and Runswick Bay Andreas caught me up and we ran together looking for Steve.
Runswick Bay Checkpoint, there is my drop bag waiting, this is a great pit stop, cheery marshalls and cheering locals. As we leave, Andreas tells me we have done 36 miles, and have 26 miles to go.
Moving a little slower now along the beach then up the path to Kettleness, along the disused railway to Sandsend, another checkpoint, another rest knowing the next few miles to Whitby would be hard going on the pavement. Through the whale bones, just a quick stop for photos, weaving through the crowds in Whitby, not a goth in sight, but pirates a plenty.
The Robin Hoods Bay checkpoint in the village hall provided a welcome resting place, with much needed coffee. I decided to spend time fixing a hotspot on my foot which turned out to be one of the best things I did. I cleaned some sand off which was exfoliating the ball of my foot - left unchecked it was going to get vicious, I put a blister plaster on and felt a million times better for it.
We set off for Boggle Hole, then ran through green fields with the deep blue sea on the left in brilliant sunshine, just heaven approaching Ravenscar. I was getting a bit tired, by the time I arrived at the checkpoint I was scanning the table like a hawk. Crisps. Yum. Normally denied as I am on a diet but today the salt tastes good and I am hoping to burn off more calories than I consume. We stayed just a few minutes, and I said to Andreas: "we'll dig deep when we get to Scarborough".
Hayburn Wyke came and went, the trees provided some shade and it was cool and shady. On the cliff tops you see helpful signs with a picture of a person falling off a cliff, and remember to watch your step. At places, looking down you can see a sheer drop like a well, you could sink like a stone with the deep drop to the sea.
It was around there that I started thinking about faking my own death. Triggered by the sight of the sea and the waves on the shore or the sheer drop or thoughts of the canoist from Seaton Carew, a weird combination of these things seemed to transport me into visions of 'doing a Reggie'. I was enjoying myself, don't get me wrong, but you do find yourself having some weird thoughts at times.
So, now we are approaching Scarborough and the promenade seems to last forever. It is dark but we are on the pavement so headtorches are not needed, yet.
A princess and her fair maidens whiling away the moonlit evening on the shores clustered around cardboard boxes of treasures, dandelion and burdock, cola and magical food parcels. Damn fine coffee. By this point it was difficult to tell runners apart from rough sleepers. It was dark and uncertainty lay ahead. We stayed awhile then ran off following a trio with headtorches, I was clutching my secret weapon (a Boost bar) in one hand and a Hi5 gel in the other. The sky was dark brown, the moon was vanilla and reflected on the still sea. Around this time the run turned into a re-enaction of Hate and the Tortoise. No that is not a typo, read on.
Mr Race joined us and for the first time in my life I was the only one who knew the way. Running in the moonlight I loved the stillness and the silence. I don't really manage well talking when I am running I usually end up falling over. The Cayton Bay checkpoint was chilled and good. I eyed a Twix and wanted it but could not take it, I had eaten so much sugar today. The Coke was grand. Down to the woods, then back up and we soon reach a sign that says "Filey 5 miles". "Oh no", I muttered, "it's going to go on for hours"
"How come, it's only 5 miles!"
"You watch".
The running was pleasant enough. Mr Race sped ahead. The sea on the left, the moon hung low in the almost cloud less sky. Some lights to the right every now and again. Through a caravan park. More lights to the right. Where was Filey Brigg? I panicked after what seemed like a long time. Maybe we had gone past Filey? How was I going to tell Andreas that we had run further than we needed to? How could we run past Filey without noticing? Secretly I panicked but I didn't want Andreas to know. I worried I had missed a turn. I could not work it out, why weren't we at Filey Brigg by now?
I was power walking up the hills (slopes, really) and lurching into a run when I could. It might be a ten second run then back to the power walk. I didn't want to walk all the way to the end from here, I wanted to get back. Andreas later confessed that every time I started running he was thinking evil thoughts. That's the thanks you get for getting someone to the end. I think it might have been a low point for both of us. When we finally reached Filey Brigg I thanked our lucky stars. I had not taken us the wrong way, and now the end was within our grasp.
I knew if the tide was out we could run along the beach to the Filey promenade. I ran down to the sea and called Andreas after me, we could run along the beach saving us the climb up then back down. Running along the beach in the dark with the sea close by and the moon following us, was one of the better moments of the run for me. I knew we were nearly there.
Filey
The sea front was quiet, just a few late night promenaders, and the checkpoint was in front of my face before I was expecting it. A hearty welcome at the checkpoint including directions. We moved along the sea front past the beach huts and up Martin's Ravine, up to the golf club house then along the path to the right, past the camp site where our tents were and on to the road, up to the school, in to the hall and there was Steve catching his breath, he was a minute or two ahead of us.
Finish
We had been running (well, let's say moving) for the equivalent of 2 working days (normal working hours).
I could not drive for just under 15 hours but I enjoyed every minute of this run.
After a rest in the school and nodding and smiling and uttering monosyllables in the hall, we went back to the campsite. I thought I slept well although I am told I was groaning all night. My entire body hurt - my arms, feet, quads, glutes. It was good pain though. Such an amazing experience, enhanced by the weather, the sun and the moon, the support and other runners and friends.
Grand slam next year?
1st male Jim Mann 10h 03m 37s
1st females Carol Morgan &
Shelli Gordon 11h 31m 54s
30th Steve Dixon 14h 41m 15s (1st MV 60)
31st Sarah Smith 14h 42 m 49s
32nd Andreas Mayer 14h 42m 52s
started
91 finished
