They said it was tough, friends called me crazy for signing up and maybe they were right…!

When and where?

23/02/2020 – Start and finish: Huddersfield Rugby Union club

The Route

The route throws you uphill immediately with a gradual climb up to Netherton. I had expected this and whilst it was tough, I wrongly assumed that this was the worst it would get.

The route on paper doesn’t look too bad, but this is where my knowledge of local roads is severely lacking!

What followed were steep downhills followed by steep uphills that never seemed to end!

Once you survive the final climb, if you have any energy left there is a downhill finish along Woodhead Road and back to the Rugby club.

Race Conditions

After weeks of stormy weather, it really wasn’t bad! A bit of rain and light wind. There was a lot of surface water from flooding/rain but nothing to really harm a good performance.

My Performance

As I didn’t fully research the route, it was a massive shock! Through shock then came negative thoughts, so I did really struggle. I didn’t find myself enjoying it so I felt it affected my performance.

A huge part of running is the battle with your mind. It will give up long before your legs do and on Sunday I let it. If I pushed a little further I’d have comfortably been under an hour… I just have to learn from these things.

Would I recommend?

If you fully research and understand just how hilly it is – yes. If you run it not setting high expectations for a PB – yes.

It is chip timed, which is great as the race sold out this year!

The race was well organised by the Huddersfield Road Runners club and has been since 1990. Local races are a fantastic way to get involved in the running community. Afterwards, there’s delicious hot food, I went for a bacon sarnie – yum!

You also get a great t-shirt, which I’m very chuffed with haha!

Will I do it again? I’m currently at a hard no. I have a lot to work on when it comes to hills, however, I do enjoy proving to myself that I am getting stronger…

Official Time: 1hr 24 seconds.