left - courtesy of Geoff Matthews
right - courtesy of woodentops.org.uk
The Wadsworth Trog is a 20 mile fellrace over Pennine moors near Hebden Bridge. Once a covering of snow and lots of ice is added to the equation, it becomes "challenging" and "fun". In a marvellous poke in the eye to the health and safety brigade, the race went ahead on Saturday despite the adverse underfoot conditions. Despite all the ice on the course, YC only fell over once and managed to enjoy the stunning views over the moors. He finished 36th out of circa 140 runners in 3 hours 37 mins.
YC had been persuaded to enter by John Telfer (a veteran of several Trogs). Sadly John's race was curtailed when he stopped to assist a runner who had sprained an ankle. However John's journey was not entirely wasted. He can now add the qualifications FGP and GFS to his name. In case readers are wondering, FGP = Fox & Goose [pub in Hebden Bridge] Patron and GFS = Good Fellrunning Samaritan - check out the fellrunner's version in Luke's Gospel here.
After the race, YC travelled to Blackburn to see Paul & Topsy Thomasson. YC had run the Wadsworth Trog, and Paul had watched Blackburn Rovers win. So all in all, a minor celebration was called for - and a pleasant evening of chat, food and wine ensued. On Sunday YC attended mass at The Sacred Heart church with Topsy and her aunt Kate - and enjoyed belting out a few hymns.
Now if only Scotland could win a game of rugby, YC's life would be complete.