Settle Road Races

Posted: February 17, 2022

Give me a marathon any day!

Well that’s a sentence I thought I would never say but it’s true.

Five Harriers set off early doors to the lovely market town of Settle to take part in the three events that were taking place. I can assure you there was nothing lovely about the weather in either Settle or Giggleswick. It was a Grim Up North event and the weather lived up to its name but as we always say – it’s character building! All of us were soaked to the skin even before we set off but the thought of a good Sunday lunch after was light at the end of the tunnel.

The half marathon runners were set off first so the Clarkes and myself set off wet and raring (not) to go. We stayed together for the first mile and then the Clarkes started to pull away. The first 3 miles (same for all of the routes) is a long climb up and despite the weather it’s a fantastic, scenic route.Now for me it wasn’t about time as I have altered my training to focus on distance rather than speed, and I have to say I was grumpy until about 9 miles when I was then in my happy zone and comfy and ready to do more than 13.1 miles. The Clarkes are coming back stronger after the seasonal cold a few months ago floored them.

Viki was doing the 10 miler and needed the boost that she could do this after having a bad chest for a long time. With a bleeper in hand, she set off running for 4 minutes then walking for 1 minute. And to say she smashed it is an understatement despite the fact that she was cursing the beeper as her walking minute always seemed to be happening on the easier sections! And she even managed go live on Facebook during the race and take loads of photos.

Nicky decided to do the 10km race, and to say she was only 4 minutes slower than her PB at Alderley Edge with an additional 900 feet of climbing shows just how far she has come with her running.

So with us all wet and finished safely it was time for bacon butties (two for Mr C) at the finish before heading off to the pub for a Sunday lunch and a pudding.

The course is on open roads but they were very, very quiet, and the marshals all kept you safe on the course. If you have never done a Grim Up North event I would definitely recommend them as they are a lovely bunch of people.