Swaledale Marathon Race Report
The 8th June 2024 was the 43rd Swaledale Marathon and I had completed the 23.2 mile course 3 times before, with finish times from 5:27 to 5:07. My aim was to complete it in under 5 hours. The weather was a cool 10° and rain started lashing down as I drove into Grinton to register, however after the check of compulsory kit to be carried it started to fair up and stopped raining 10 minutes before the start. Waterproofs stayed in my bag; things were looking up. The race was sold out and there were few of the 500 entries absent. At 9:30 all set off on the mass start from Grinton and the first of the races’ 4300+ foot of climbs, up Fremington Edge. This first steep climb strung out the field as I focused on steady pacing for the first 2 miles of ascent, the cool temperature much appreciated. I managed a good fast decent off the moor and ran on to the first checkpoint at Stang Bridge finding myself on target at this 5.5 mile point. Next was the dull undulating tarmac section where I tucked into a few fig roles from my snack supply before the second check point at Whaw. As usual the crossing at the Tan Hill Road had a much-appreciated supporting crowd handing out jelly babies.
Now it was onto the moor tracks ascending the side of Great Punchards Gill to the 10mile checkpoint. I was still feeling ok and thanks to previous recees was confident of the lines I wanted to take across Punchard Moor. The sky was clear and the views stunning, reminding me of why this was my favourite section. As usual there was a good scattering of runners across the moor with different ideas of the best route. I had caught a group up at the checkpoint but it wasn’t far before I took a turn away from the direction they chose. A couple of guys followed me and at the 13 mile check point, thanked me for taking them across. They then ran on ahead leaving me to refill my bottles and grab a slice of ginger bread. I ate this as I crossed the beck and ascended to the top of Gunnerside Gill. A welcome easy descent on grass down the gill to the Gunnerside check point at around 16.5 miles. No stopping in the hall for tea and cakes for me, instead the evil 2 mile steep climb out of the village through fields towards Blades. For me this section is a real mental test to keep moving at a good pace on tiring legs up the hill. I finished off the last of the fig roles and was thankful for all Rick’s Saturday morning strength sets over the autumn and winter which were really paying off here.
I checked my watch as I got to the 20ish mile checkpoint at Surrender Bridge and thought I could just about get in for 5 hours, though my brain couldn’t manage the simple maths required so it was head down, hope for the best and concentrate on my footing and navigation back to Reeth. Most of the ascent was now done with just a short sharp drop into and climb out of at Cringley Bottom. I was catching and passing people over the last few miles, which helped me keep my pace up. Good luck again as a tail wind was helping my run across the foot of Calver Hill, where I passed the 2 guys that followed me across the moor. Yes! All peanuts now eaten and managing to quicken my pace, no time to check my watch back down the ankle breaking Skelgate Lane, into Reeth, past the cheering crowds enjoying a pint outside the Buck and up to the village hall.
Inside at the ‘Finish Table’ I was given a time of 4hours 49 mins. I was over the moon with that. I managed 3/27 vet 60 female and 115/441 overall finishers. The race winner broke the long standing course record in 2:51, exactly 1 hour ahead of the first lady in 3:51.