Trans Britain
On the 11th September I celebrated our wedding anniversary by having my wife drop me off at 8am at the Trans Britain organisers house to join a group driving up to Gretna green for the start the following day. The group consisted of fellow running club member and TB organiser Guy Travers, Guinness World Record Holder Lee Chamberlain, and the support crew of Graeme Chamberlin (who came 2nd in the event last year) and Chris, Steve and Richard.
After a few delays we arrived at Gretna to find the camp site bathed in sunshine and set up with a small tent for each of the competitors and a marquee for the communal dining area.
We introduced ourselves and discussed our running experience as some of the other competitors arrived, including 3 RAF guys who arrived with full 40lb back pack and rifles which they intended to carry throughout the event. There were to be 12 competitors in the race.
It was soon time to hand over all our belongings other than those we were to carry with us and we settled down to our first meal together prepared by chef Nick.
Day 1 – Gretna to Caldbeck, 36 miles
Woke early after a poor nights sleep due the cold and general strangeness of sleeping in such a small tent and was itching to get going. I was pleased to see that the kitchen had my usual pre-run fare of porridge on the go.
After a race briefing the time ticked round to 9:00 and we were off on our adventure. For the first few miles, we all stayed fairly close together with Lee Chamberlain out front as expected, Steve Keywood in 2nd and with me slightly ahead of Guy. A small navigational error by Steve and me, meant that the three of us were then running together into England and on to check point 1.
Soon after we missed the exit from a field and ended up fighting through nettles and then through the middle of a corn field before walking along the rail track before finding a bridge across it.
Just before CP 2 Guy pulled ahead taking a slightly different route and Steve and I then ran together through beautiful countryside in perfect weather following the river Eden for a long stretch.
My main navigation concern for the day was getting through Carlisle, but this proved to be very straight forward. Steve pulled ahead for a while but I caught up again before we had left the town and then run together for the rest of the day,
The last few miles went through a forest and was predominantly up hill on very wet muddy tracks which proved to be very sapping and seemed to go on forever. Finally the sounds of a village cricket match confirmed that we were nearing civilisation. We soon found the farm that we were staying on the other side of the village and finished in joint 3rd in 7 hours 42, well inside the winning time of last year.
Day 2 – Caldbeck to Mell Fell, 24 miles
Following another good meal by chef Nick and a much better night in the tent I was ready to tackle day 2 even though the weather was now cold and wet.
After a brief run through some fields, we were to tackle the first of the big climbs (over the Caldbeck Fells and High Peak) which would be a feature throughout the week. In a repeat of the previous day, Lee and Steve K went ahead, and I eventually caught up with Guy going up the hill, with Steve Platt not far behind. The rain and high winds made that climb very difficult, just trying to take a breath was difficult at times.
We eventually made it over the top but soon realised that we were off track, we found it difficult to identify exactly where we were in the gloom, so decided to continue down. It was only once we hit a road, that we realised that we had gone too far east and had come off the mountain on the wrong side, not only were we off course but we had missed the check point. We got back to the course as quickly as we could, and then had to decide whether to take a time penalty or run back to the checkpoint. In the end the decision was made for us as we couldn’t get a signal to call the race director, so had to run the 2 mile or so, mostly uphill to the checkpoint. It was not long before we passed Steve P running in the correct direction, it was disheartening to see most of our competitors running past us down the hill, but they had the good grace to stifle their laughter at least until we had passed. We eventually got to Graeme at the check point and turned downhill to try and chase down the others. We managed to catch everyone except Steve P ahead of CP2, but ii was very slow going getting through the last few miles, with water logged fields and a lot of barriers to cross but finally Grant spotted the CP flags off in the distance. But we still ended up on the wrong side of a barbed wire fence! Not wanted to lose any more time I pushed through a hedge and over a ditch and appeared at the checkpoint.
I had a quick top up of water, and bite to eat and headed off with Guy ahead of the others. Now in joint 4th we were making good time on this section of mostly road. There was only about 3 miles to go when disaster struck. Running along a slightly over grown farm track I twisted my ankle and went down hard. From the loud crack and the pain, I really thought that I had broken it. Guy helped me to my feet and I found that I could walk on it. I sent Guy on and soon found that I could jog slightly, but within 10m it happened again and I was on the deck.
I picked myself up and then took it easy to the finish, only running as best I could when the surface was even enough to allow it.
Removing my shoe and sock revealed that it was badly swollen, I tried to keep it elevated and iced with frozen veg, but really thought that was the end of my involvement in the race, particularly as the next day would be through the mountains of the lake district.
Meanwhile we had problems with the worsening weather, the small marquee that we eat our meals in was attempting to rip apart and fly away despite being sheltered by and strapped to the van. We ate our dinners as quickly as possible and all helped in getting it put away. Fortunately this site had a bar which we could shelter in and whilst we warmed up and dried out. It was clear that the organisers were concerned about the mountain stage the next day.
Day 3 - Mell Fell to Rydal, 20 miles
The next day I got out of the tent and found that I could barely walk, but after breakfast in a lean-to structure at the side of the bar, and a bit of walking around the site my ankle was easing up a little and I decided that I would start at least and see if I could get to the only check point of the day which was only about 4 miles in. We were advised that there was a “weather window” of 10:00 – 15:00 so it was decided that we stick to the original route but that we would be “buddied up” to go over the tops and that we should phone in at each of the 3 highest peaks to advise on progress and the weather conditions.
So we set off, I found it a real struggle to run on anything that wasn’t an even surface, but by running on my toes I could keep up a reasonable pace and managed to keep up with Owen and Steve P, and by the time that we had reached the check point Arnold was also with us. After stocking up it was decided that we would all go over together although we now had glorious sunshine.
As we started up the mountain we could just about see the 3 front runners going up but they were a long way ahead of us. As we started the ascent the sun came out and we had fantastic views of Ullswater. I was still struggling, having to be very careful of how I placed my foot on the narrow rocky trails, although I don’t think I was holding back the others too much. Rounding one corner I found Steve P sitting with his foot in a stream, seemingly he had also just turned his ankle. As we got to Sticks Pass, the RAF guys clearly more experienced in this kind of terrain caught and passed us but we continued as best we could. By the time we approached Raise, the weather had changed for the worse and whilst the rain was quite fine the wind made it quite painful. We took some time to add addition layers of clothing and we pushed on to Helvellyn, at 950m the highest peaks that we’d be crossing. As we neared the top, the wind had increased to at least 50 mph, the wind chill brought the temperature down to well below zero, despite having all the clothing on that I was carrying wrapping my hand in a couple a spare Buffs and I was freezing. I found it difficult to operate my phone to call in to race control, but soon found that none of us had a signal. We pushed on with the wind speed increasing all the time, and it becoming clear that my “waterproof” running jacket that I had to buy at the last minute(as the one on order hadn’t arrived) really wasn’t up to the job.
We caught up with the RAF guys, who were equally as concerned about the worsening conditions as we were, and there was a brief discussion about what to do and whether the stage will have been cancelled.
I was beginning to shiver uncontrollably and Steve P concerned about my deteriorating condition, the other also had seemed to have had enough and were keen to get off the mountain. Fortunately Steve had some experience of the routes and advised that the quickest way off the mountains would be to continue up over the top of Helvellyn and on as far a Dollywaggon before descending. It seemed to take ages before we started descend out of the worst of the conditions, and then we still had quite a trek to civilisation at the small village of Patterdale. As the continued down it was clear the Steve P would have been able to continue over Fariview to complete the course but he decided to stay with us and down to safety sacrificing his own race. Once in to the village communication problems still plagued us and not being able to make direct contact with race control we arranged for a taxi to take us to the camp. Whilst very disappointed not to have completed the course missing only one of the 5 peaks, and being less than a mile off of the planned distance for the day, I was happy to make it back to the relative warmth of the camp, vowing never to go up a mountain again!
Day 4 – Rydal to Dent, 36 miles
With my leg still hurting I started day 4 which from the start I thought was likely to be one of the hardest days being 36 miles long and whilst not including any mountains there would be enough tough climbs to make it very taxing.
I was running at the same pace as Owen and we found our way through the pretty town of Ambleside and through the countryside to Windermere where heading into a housing estate we lost our way. Having got split up from Owen I just couldn’t figure out where I was, whether it was due to trauma of the previous day, I couldn’t decide what to do and advice from the locals didn’t seem to help. I continued south which I knew was the generally the direction I needed to go in, but in the maze of streets it was difficult to identify where I was until I found I was at the lake edge of Windermere, and miles away from the course and CP1. I determined the best route to the checkpoint and headed off a quickly as I could, which I reached 40 minutes after the last competitor and having done about 6 extra miles. I thought that I’d be pulled from the race, but was allowed to continue, it was going to be a very long day! The next few miles were difficult navigating across fields with me doubting myself at each turn. But I started to gain in confidence and once I made if on to the road I ran as hard as I could into Kendal and CP2 where to my surprise Owen resting up. I stocked up quickly and we left the check point together. Apart from a small problem finding our way back out of a field and having to stop to carry out running repairs to my left foot which was beginning to get blisters on the toes we made it to CP 3 in good time. We were then on a section of road were we could keep up a good pace and we soon caught up with Caroline and Kyoko. We walked with them for a while but nearing CP 4 I decided to push on, with Owen deciding to stay with the girls.
At the check point I was told that the RAF guys and Arnold wasn’t that far ahead, so I pushed on as fast as I could, but the next section was along a track following a river so there was very little I could run, but I was happy to be back in the race and nearing the end. But just as I thought I was home and dry I realised that the light was fading fast and had to stop to find my head torch. Before long I was heading through fields along a river in the pitch black. I was beginning to wonder if I was doing the right thing and if the organisers would be sending out a search crew, but I was determined to finish this stage. I came across a some lights in the middle of a field which turned out to be a tractor illuminating a fallen tree which was being cut up by a lady with a chain saw, while her children (as young as 4) were running around in the darkness. She confirmed that I was heading in the right direction and had about a mile and half to go and that some “army guys” had been through earlier. After stumbling around in the dark for a little longer I followed the route back to the road and it was then just a short run to the finish and the camp, after 12 hours 45 and over 43 miles. I was only a few minutes behind Arnold and the RAF guys, and Owen and the girls came in a little later having taken the sensible decision to stick to the roads for the final section.
Day 5 – Dent to Stainforth, 26 miles
After another very cold night, I was looking forward to the chance of having a good day without incident. Almost immediately we seemed to get spread out, and with very little running left in my legs I was running by myself. The weather was much better today and I was enjoying the run along the Dales Way and happy to try and save something for the big climb over Pen –y-ghent. Approaching CP1 I found that my legs were loosening up and Arnold was just leaving as I arrived. After removing my jacket I set off as soon as I could and soon caught him along the Ribble Way. I was quicker up the hills, but having to still be careful with the ankle couldn’t keep up his pace downhill and he pulled away on the last descent into CP2. He was still resting up as I arrived at the CP, but I after grabbing some food to take with me a headed out straight away but was sure that he would catch me up before too long and started the ascent of Pen-y-ghent. There was no sign of the leaders going up the incline, but I bumped into David Wilson, last year’s TB winner who had been waiting at the top, and had a brief conversation before continuing. I was surprised to see an impromptu check point on the top including “Go Beyond“ flag but for once I had no intention of running for the camera crew. Preferring to catch my breath and take in the fantastic view.
Surprised by the shear drops off the other side of the mountain I headed down carefully then through some very sodden fields to the finish.
Day 6 – Wrexham to Ruthin, 18 miles
After a final breakfast prepared by chef Nick, who had done a brilliant job all week, especially considering the weather conditions. We all boarded the coach which would take us off to the start line in Wales in high spirits. Traffic problems and an enforced driver rest period meant that we would be starting the final stage 2 hours late, but I was quite happy as this meant there would be a good chance that my wife would make it to the Ruthin Castle in time to see me finish.
On arrival at the start we hurriedly got ready and we were on our way at 12:00. I was running with Owen, but he soon went on ahead, and I then caught and passed Arnold and I found myself running alone through the woods. It was not long before I realised I was off route again, I was only about 2 miles into the run and I could believe that I’d gone wrong again, I later realised that we had all gone wrong at this point. I wasted quite a bit of time trying to determine where I was but was pretty sure that I had gone too far north. There was a sharp rise to the east and I was pretty sure that I needed to be above it, so I thought sod it hoped over a fence and just started climbing using handfuls of ferns to pull myself up. Towards what I thought was the top it plateaued out a bit but was still rising but I took a long time wading through ferns and other plant life before I could get to a point where a see enough to get a confirmation of where I was. When I did get to the top I couldn’t see any signs of any of the other runners either in front or behind me, so continued on the correct heading and finally came across what was intended to be the foot path which led on to a section of road. I ran as hard as I could to try and make up for lost time, approaching the turn back off the road towards the next forest area I was surprised to see Guy joining from the wrong direction. I headed across the moorland and as he went through the gate into the forest I knew he was only 2 minutes ahead of me. Entering the forest I pushed as hard as I could and soon came across Owen and we entered the only check point of the day as Guy was leaving . We headed off after stocking up for the last time and soon caught up with guy a couple of fields on and the three of us started running together. Soon agreeing that we’d work together and finished together. Whilst there were no mountains of this stage there were plenty of climbs to slow us down, and finally a very steep 100m climb over Meol y Plas with just 4 miles to go. Following the decent we were soon on tracks and roads and we pushed on to try and finish under 4.5 hours.
Finally we headed into Ruthin, through a housing estate and on to the castle, as we neared the Castle the first three guys, the crew and my wife were there to welcome us home. After a quick embrace from my wife and handshakes all round, we were handed a very welcome can of beer, from the RAF support team ( my first in 5 weeks) and shortly followed by 3 bottle of champagne for the obligatory celebration.
Over the next couple of hours we welcomed home the rest of the runners and we then readied ourselves for a celebration dinner and awards ceremony.
Many thanks to the organisers and crew of “Go Beyond”
