The Tour of Pendle – 16.8 miles up and down Pendle Hill several times.  A tad contrived and so not worth doing?  287 people thought otherwise on Saturday in what was a record turnout for this race.  The weather at the start was “undecided” – overcast with drizzle – and we wondered if we were in for a soaking like last year.  But as we climbed up Pendle Hill (for the first time), the skies cleared and blue skies arrived on a freshening southerly wind. 

The race entails a figure of 8 around Pendle with several steep climbs and descents, notably “gerronimo hill” to checkpoint 4 in Ogden Clough, and the climb up the escarpment to the trig-point checkpoint.  There’s also some surprisingly good running with a couple of long grassy descents to checkpoints 2 and 5.  The final run-in back alongside the reservoir seems to go for ages, and it’s a relief to arrive at Barley Village Hall for the finish.

NFR fielded a team for the event – myself and Lewis & Jane Grundy.  We all had good runs, and were able to enjoy the soup and tea in the village hall afterwards.  At £5 pre-entry this race is an absolute bargain: nearly 17 miles of enjoyable running, good organisation, and a T-shirt to boot.  Many thanks to Kieran Carr and his team for an excellent event.

John Duff