Report by Guy.
I’d heard from Tom of the Blorenge and of the Skirrid, in almost mythical terms – maybe it was in part the pull of the names. Having been too slow to book a place in the Blorenge fell race, I was lucky enough to get into the Skirrid race, via a runner who’d had to pass on her entry.
As you drive down towards Abergavenny you are struck by this awesome rocky protrusion on your left – the Skirrid. Only 450m of climb, and 5.2km running, but ..
Anyway, 130 of us assembled in the start field, did a 300m tour of the field, before tackling a series of ever steeper fields, all wet and marked by cattle hoof prints. Tim quickly moved out of sight, and then Flora passed Gary and me (Nip and Tuck), who were beginning to gasp for breath.
On the way up we negotiated three or four (steep!) stiles and a fallen oak tree. Once onto the final climb to the top I found the going easier (better drained!), then there was a short run along the ridge to the summit, which Tuck (me) got to first, briefly admiring the views and the afternoon light on the surrounding hills, and then the precipitous slide down the other side. As Tom had said, sliding might be the best option, but apart from losing balance/grip once I chose to descend upright – fatally, because Nip (Gary) was bound to catch me, as he surely did about three fields from the finish. Although it was downhill, running across those wet fields was draining and we both were grateful for the finish line.
Tim was 78th (38.25)
Flora was 100th (41.31) 3rd F60
Gary was 109th (43.14) 3rd M70
Guy was 110th (43.26)
