Old County Tops 2012

YC was back for his annual crack at The Old County Tops fell race on Saturday. It's a pairs race over Helvellyn, Scafell Pike, and Coniston Old Man with a mere 37 miles of running. He ran it with John Telfer (NFR) and very enjoyable it was too. Early snow and ice on Helvellyn gave way to clear views and even some sunshine by Coniston. YC and John completed the race in 9 hrs 15 mins - not bad for a V90 team who encouraged each other one when John flagged after Scafell Pike and then YC struggled towards the end. There was even time for some post race rehydration in the New Dungeon Ghyll afterwards (hurrah). Also there were Paul Myers and Nick Wild who ran round in 9 hours 43.

In a race this long, it's difficult to get competitive until the finishing straight is in sight. As we ran in with 3 other teams, JT demanded extra effort. A good line off the col by Blea Tarn took us away from 2 of the teams, but the other one was running well. However they didn't know the sneaky short-cut in front of Side House farm. As they ran round the back of the farm, JT led the charge round the front and we stole 100 yards to claim 33rd place out of 103.

left - John climbing Wythburn
right - YC's favourite part of the race, the descent into Upper Eskdale

left - looking back towards Scafell Pike from Great Moss, Upper Eskdale
right - celebrations in the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel

a few more photos here