11 brave souls turned up to put their minds and bodies on the line in probably one of the maddest races the Lake District has ever seen. With a pretty dismal forecast at 06.15hrs on Saturday the competitors sprinted away in all directions from the start line, excited by the challenge that lay ahead.
I opted to do Skiddaw first and was joined by Chris Little. We summated in just over a hour in Gale force winds and had to do the summit ridge on hands and knees other wise you would of easily been blown off! In the mean time other competitors had set out on different routes with Steve Nash heading for Catbells and then managing to fly his small ibex up to Grange (2.5 k.m.) Running down Skiddaw I managed to put a little distance between myself and Chris and got my head down in the direction of Helvelyn.
I fought my way up the Helvelyn path amongst the hordes of runners taking part in the Saunders Mountain Marathon. Getting a real ego boost ever time I past one of them and they looked at me strangely as I was the only one amongst them carrying a largish 10 k.g.. rucksack and they presumed I was one of their fellow competitors. Summated at 10.50hrs I ran down in a direct line to the carpark at the end of Thirlmere, again passing lots of the Saunders runners who were traversing round Helvelyn, which caused a few to double check their maps as I confidently ran past in a different direction, little did they know what I was doing or how far I was heading.
After a quick fuel up and boot change for the next section I was just setting off as Roger Fowkes ran past closely followed by Steve Nash in the other direction having already done the Scafell section and 2/3 of the route in distance in 6hrs! I thought I was doing well having done 2 of the 3000ft peaks by now, but these guys were super human.
Setting off on the long slog towards Scafell Pike the rain finally kicked in bringing low cloud to make navigation over this barren section even harder. After another 4 hrs of hard walking and a slight half hour detour when I got lost I finally summated Scafell Pike at 16.30hrs. Choosing the 'corridor route' for decent as another thunder storm came through I slogged my way down in the hail and rain passing Sty Head tarn as it started to clear. As I reached the last 1000ft drop into Borrowdale the sun was out and even thought the wind was quite strong and running across the valleys, down at my level there was very little. I could not resist and even though I only had my speed wing I wiped it out and sprinted off down the hill side. Skimming over the ground the slope was just to shallow to allow me to glide off into the valley and I landed and ran along, unfortunately one of my walking poles then fell out of my glider bag and I had to stop........bollocks, now got a slight tale wind. Well after retrieving the pole there was nothing for it and I forward launched the nano running across/ up the slope, then turning it down hill I did probably my fastest ever foot launch (Probably about 25/30 mph) and luckily the ground steeped and I was off. The little flight down into the valley took about 30 seconds and I did not even have enough height to clear the river above Seathwaite, leaving me to call on all my flying skills to land the Nano in the middle of the boulder strewn river bed at over 30mph (Basically this calls on having to come in at full speed and then whip the wing into a stall just before you hit the ground to kill as much momentum as posable). Wiping the sweet from my brow I was applauded by some gob sacked walkers who I think were still looking for the plane I must of jumped out off.
After quickly packing I stomped down to Seathwaite to meet my support crew (Lucy and Jan Little) and after a quick feed and footwear change it was off on the last 8 mile slog down Borrowdale. God this bit really started to hurt, any uphill bits I felt like a car running on one cylinder and the only way to be slightly comfortable due to my blisters was to walk on the smooth bits of tarmac in the middle of the road making any cars passing me have to go round into the opposite lane. I was still racing though as I knew Chris Little would not be to far behind and that Nick Ogden was still summating Skiddaw via a different route.
After another 3hrs of walking I dragged myself back into Keswick's Fitz Park to be met by my friends and the 3 competitors that had already finished. The euphoria of what I had achieved hit me at this point and manage to give me the strength to run the last 200 yrds to the finish line.
So there's my story, a fantastic event enjoyed by everyone and you may not believe me but I loved ever exhaustive step. Only problem is due to the groan strain I picked up during a trip on the Helvelyn section I will be walking like John Wayne for the next week.
Results:
1st Steve Nash 10.58hrs Pack weight: 9.2 k.g
2nd Roger Fowkes 11.00hrs " " 14.9 k.g
3rd Nick Ogden 14.36.hrs " " 13.7 k.g
4th Gordie Oliver 15.10hrs " " 11.3 k.g
5th Chris Little 15.40hrs " " 10.8 k.g.
6th David Lowe 29.00hrs night stop " 8.7 k.g.
7th Gordon Allison 37.50hrs night stop " 10.2 k.g.
Peter Logan 22.40hrs (With out stopping) 13.7k.g. (Missed Skiddaw)
Mike Hibbit 29hrs on course did not complete
Bob Johnston 11hrs on course missed Skiddaw
Paul Gannon 6hrs retired due to twisted angle on Helvelyn
X Lakes 08
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X Lakes 08
Last edited by gordie on Mon Jul 07, 2008 9:26 pm, edited 3 times in total.
X Lakes
Great write up Gordy though to be fair to Steve Nash you should credit him and not Mr Ham.
I am amazed that some got to fly as well
I am amazed that some got to fly as well
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Checkout the new Digifly Air (coming soon)http://air-play1.blogspot.com/
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John Wallis
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- Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:17 pm
- Location: Northumberland
Well done ALL of you...Great effort. Sounds like an amazing day..or two ! as the case maybe.....As I had only managed to wittle my pack weight down to 17 kg I think if Paul and I had made it you'd still be waiting for me in Fitz Park 
Don't worry about the groin strain Gordy...I know just where to rub
Respect due Dudes
K
Don't worry about the groin strain Gordy...I know just where to rub
Respect due Dudes
K30m Breaststroke
Cookery MVQ level 1
Cookery MVQ level 1
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gary stenhouse
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- Location: Company Director
sounds like so much fun, all i can say is that you's all must be part mountain goat? i mean 11 hours for all that disance is impressive but also is all the rest even without a back pack. i wouls of beet paul gannon and twisted my ankle getting out the van in the morning ha ha 
nice one but i dont think my joints cold take the punishmeant.
well done lads gary
nice one but i dont think my joints cold take the punishmeant.
well done lads gary
Dave Lowe personal jourrney
And another account of 'Daring Do', courtesy of Dave Lowe:
Race Brief.
So her I am standing in Fits Park listening to Gordie’s pre race brief . G says the forecast has put a few people off , well me thinks the forecast has just kept all the sane people away and ime standing in line with a bunch lunatics all rubbing there hands together in anticipation of a real good session of prolonged pain and suffering. Anyhow G says the lightweight rule will apply and the 3 peaks can be done in any order, he also mentions the fact that it will almost definitely not be flyable however there may be a small weather window first thing Saturday and last thing also. G suggests an anticlockwise route taking in Cat bells early for a possible glide down to Borrowdale, however G also mentions that this route will mean the walk from Scafell to Helvellyn would be difficult with the wind in the face. Little old me was just about to come to a decision as he had given me two choices so far then he says you could do Skidaw first and bag one early, 3 choices Dave cannot compute!
Race Day 1
05:30 Yawwwn, Dad gives me a choice of bacon sarnie or porridge from a plastic tub, it says on the side of the tub ‘ wholesome porridge oats gives you a sustained slow release of energy until dinnertime’ well we will soon find out.
05:55 11 madmen stood in a line G reminds us all of a few basics and asks us to have a good race, then we are off. 11 splinter off in more than 2 directions 3 including myself go for the corner towards Station Lane in to town. Nick Ogden has set of jogging his long striding gate sees him pull away immediately, I stick to the plan of walking and taking it easy until I get to the bottom of Helvellyn.
07:00 striding along the A591 about halfway to the bottom of Helvellyn I realise I have made a mistake as my running shoes are rubbing my feet sore only 1 hour in.
07:30 my brother Simon pulls alongside having driven up from Pontefract to join me for a bit of a walk, he gets the first one in ‘ need a lift mate’ my reply no thanks mate and I start running as if I could out sprint the car. As Simon passes me he explains he has got to go back home tonight so wants to walk with me straight away. I shout to him to go on ahead and get his boots on.
08:00 Helvellyn Gill car park Dad waiting with comfy chair and hot brew. I ask Dad how long ago Nick went through ‘ ¾ of an hour ago ’ quick change to boots no Simon so I decide to hoof it up Helvellyn quickly.
10:00 Wythburn car park Simon dressed up looking like he could pass as one of them fell-walkers and greets me with a hurry up im’e ready to get walking smiles, I frown and suggest I might sit down and have five and look at my feet as they are starting to sing a bit.
10:15 2 compeeds later and another brew me and our kid are legging it up Wythburn.
11:00 ish a lone figure comes in to view , he is running towards us, he has a large rucksack on his back, he is struggling across the marsh grass at the head of Wythburn feet sinking boots disappearing in to peat, #%&** its Roger Fowkes . A brief exchange of respectful keep it up and well in mate. My mind races he is miles in front of me cos he must have completed Scafell. 5 mins later Steve Nash is chasing after him. Another brief exchange he smiles seemingly not out of breath. I study his form as he passes and he looks more composed.
11:15 Rain cometh down relentless heavy rain. A few mins later we climb up toward Greenup edge in to the cloud. The going starts to become a bit of a serious nav task as the cloud is solid the wind and rain is buffeting of our left shoulder from behind and each waypoint previously entered in to the GPS 60 is only helping in 1000m steps.
14:00 ish we meet Pete Logan coming the opposite way we shake hands 50m below Angle Tarn Pete asks if I know anywhere nearby he can get a full English Breakfast.
15:45 me and our kid Summit the big one after the third lump which should have been the top. Corridor Route takes us out of cloud permanently down toward Styhead Tarn the sun starts to shine all is looking good to get back to Keswick before Dark.
17:30 ish Seathwate we spot Gordie running like a madman to get airborne he glides then lands on a shoulder he runs again and glides out of view in to the bottom of the valley. We meet up with Dad and sit in the comfy chairs again.
21:15 arrived back at Fits Park, Gordie arrives at the same time only he has completed the course. I get straight in to my sleeping bag and almost unable to help myself my legs give a few warning signs of spasms of cramp, Dad attends to my request of half a meal which is gone in seconds and I fall asleep.
Sunday
06:30 haul myself out of the sleeping bag and decide to get kitted up as if to do Skiddaw but not knowing if my legs are able to do it. Get moving around and to my amazement feel 200% better than I feel they should. Malcolm Grout has just finished his nightwatchman duty and kindly offers to walk up with me.
07:00 Do the necessary up and down the same route to complete Skiddaw 11:08 end.
Thanks to Gordie for deciding to lay this challenge down, it has been something to aim for since the beginning of the season and completion of the task within time in the conditions on the day has left me astonished at what is possible. Huge respect has got to go to Roger and Steve who completed a time unimaginable to most of us. I also think the chaps who gave it there all to get round will be back to have another go at whatever Gordie decides to challenge us with next year, I for one am now INSPIRED!
Race Brief.
So her I am standing in Fits Park listening to Gordie’s pre race brief . G says the forecast has put a few people off , well me thinks the forecast has just kept all the sane people away and ime standing in line with a bunch lunatics all rubbing there hands together in anticipation of a real good session of prolonged pain and suffering. Anyhow G says the lightweight rule will apply and the 3 peaks can be done in any order, he also mentions the fact that it will almost definitely not be flyable however there may be a small weather window first thing Saturday and last thing also. G suggests an anticlockwise route taking in Cat bells early for a possible glide down to Borrowdale, however G also mentions that this route will mean the walk from Scafell to Helvellyn would be difficult with the wind in the face. Little old me was just about to come to a decision as he had given me two choices so far then he says you could do Skidaw first and bag one early, 3 choices Dave cannot compute!
Race Day 1
05:30 Yawwwn, Dad gives me a choice of bacon sarnie or porridge from a plastic tub, it says on the side of the tub ‘ wholesome porridge oats gives you a sustained slow release of energy until dinnertime’ well we will soon find out.
05:55 11 madmen stood in a line G reminds us all of a few basics and asks us to have a good race, then we are off. 11 splinter off in more than 2 directions 3 including myself go for the corner towards Station Lane in to town. Nick Ogden has set of jogging his long striding gate sees him pull away immediately, I stick to the plan of walking and taking it easy until I get to the bottom of Helvellyn.
07:00 striding along the A591 about halfway to the bottom of Helvellyn I realise I have made a mistake as my running shoes are rubbing my feet sore only 1 hour in.
07:30 my brother Simon pulls alongside having driven up from Pontefract to join me for a bit of a walk, he gets the first one in ‘ need a lift mate’ my reply no thanks mate and I start running as if I could out sprint the car. As Simon passes me he explains he has got to go back home tonight so wants to walk with me straight away. I shout to him to go on ahead and get his boots on.
08:00 Helvellyn Gill car park Dad waiting with comfy chair and hot brew. I ask Dad how long ago Nick went through ‘ ¾ of an hour ago ’ quick change to boots no Simon so I decide to hoof it up Helvellyn quickly.
10:00 Wythburn car park Simon dressed up looking like he could pass as one of them fell-walkers and greets me with a hurry up im’e ready to get walking smiles, I frown and suggest I might sit down and have five and look at my feet as they are starting to sing a bit.
10:15 2 compeeds later and another brew me and our kid are legging it up Wythburn.
11:00 ish a lone figure comes in to view , he is running towards us, he has a large rucksack on his back, he is struggling across the marsh grass at the head of Wythburn feet sinking boots disappearing in to peat, #%&** its Roger Fowkes . A brief exchange of respectful keep it up and well in mate. My mind races he is miles in front of me cos he must have completed Scafell. 5 mins later Steve Nash is chasing after him. Another brief exchange he smiles seemingly not out of breath. I study his form as he passes and he looks more composed.
11:15 Rain cometh down relentless heavy rain. A few mins later we climb up toward Greenup edge in to the cloud. The going starts to become a bit of a serious nav task as the cloud is solid the wind and rain is buffeting of our left shoulder from behind and each waypoint previously entered in to the GPS 60 is only helping in 1000m steps.
14:00 ish we meet Pete Logan coming the opposite way we shake hands 50m below Angle Tarn Pete asks if I know anywhere nearby he can get a full English Breakfast.
15:45 me and our kid Summit the big one after the third lump which should have been the top. Corridor Route takes us out of cloud permanently down toward Styhead Tarn the sun starts to shine all is looking good to get back to Keswick before Dark.
17:30 ish Seathwate we spot Gordie running like a madman to get airborne he glides then lands on a shoulder he runs again and glides out of view in to the bottom of the valley. We meet up with Dad and sit in the comfy chairs again.
21:15 arrived back at Fits Park, Gordie arrives at the same time only he has completed the course. I get straight in to my sleeping bag and almost unable to help myself my legs give a few warning signs of spasms of cramp, Dad attends to my request of half a meal which is gone in seconds and I fall asleep.
Sunday
06:30 haul myself out of the sleeping bag and decide to get kitted up as if to do Skiddaw but not knowing if my legs are able to do it. Get moving around and to my amazement feel 200% better than I feel they should. Malcolm Grout has just finished his nightwatchman duty and kindly offers to walk up with me.
07:00 Do the necessary up and down the same route to complete Skiddaw 11:08 end.
Thanks to Gordie for deciding to lay this challenge down, it has been something to aim for since the beginning of the season and completion of the task within time in the conditions on the day has left me astonished at what is possible. Huge respect has got to go to Roger and Steve who completed a time unimaginable to most of us. I also think the chaps who gave it there all to get round will be back to have another go at whatever Gordie decides to challenge us with next year, I for one am now INSPIRED!
And more tales of Xtastic proportions.
Firstly Roger Fowkes who came in 2nd:
mental.......... really enjoyed the event ever step of the way just like you said. it started for me @ 12.00pm on the friday when i left work, some 9 hours later we made it to Fitz park. due to chaos on the m6 around j19 it was shut. we came up though Windermere and passed hellvelan that's when i leapt out the van and planted my first stash of food and drink, another food stash along the road to keswick and i was sorted. 6.15 am we were off steve nash starts legging it out the park in the same direction as me i thought hang on a minute we got 70km to go, but i could not rested and stared to run too. over the bridge out the park steve turns right i go left. i don't hardly see any one until the top of scafell, my route took me down the main road to rosthwaite, up the grains gill , i kept looking around to see if i could see steve or anyone else but no one. i made the top of scafell pike in pretty high spirits knowing that not seeing steve coming back across from the top towards hellvlan meant that i was probably ahead, a couple of minutes later conformation, after i had descended off the top and stared to climb again towards broad peak, bang there he was a lean mean fighting machine all in black moving pretty rapidly towards me. we were both on a mission and did not hang around to xschang plsantreys. as we passed each other he said did you fly here, i replied you must be joking.....then i new i had to push hard to stop the attack of the nash i only had a small lead. the viss was good for the next section ( i was worried it was going to be in cloud making route finding very hard). but i cleaned the section before the worst of the whether hit. After contouring around high rise just dropping into the valley, i see Nick with his ski poles coming the other way thought blimy he's going well. coming down wythburn fells and onto the road i was starting to feel knackered. it stared to lash it down i continued on to the car park where i had my stash of goodies. t shirt off waterproof on karons cake in my mouth refill water bottles and grab the lucazade and i was off again. exiting the car park i see the main man gordie he's refuelling as well i ask if he's done the skiddaw and helvellyn, yes he says wow that's 2 down 1 to go i thought. The two bottles of lucazde did the job and i was feeling farly sharp again. up the steep path out through the woods and into the open, zig zaging up the hill I kept looking around to see if the nash was coming. as nuts are nuts he was there like a hunter and me beeing the hunted. i kept pushing up the hill and soon i disapeered into the cloud, out of sight out of mind i thourght. off the top and down to the road, once on the road i pretty much joged my way back to keswick. there was no sign of the hunter and i thought i was safe. little did i know he had gone a diffarant route. i had choosen to go back through fitz park to take on more water then down the a591 to millbeck, up the steep allerdale ramble. the top was in cloud and i was not to sure if i was at the top or not come on roge keep going untill you find the trig piont. got the pics and had just left the summit ,when out of the mist jumped the nash. i waved my finger @ him and thought oh no you dont. i new i had to run all the way down the skiddaw if i was going to keep the nash off my back. i made it down on to the road i think i had opened up a small cap. but i was shot to bits. i tred jogging along the flat road back to the park but just could not do it..... i kept looking round to see were he was.he was take the shortest line through every bend and runing.he had me, there was not a drop of juice left in my engine. steve what a top bloke gave me the last of his water and walked with me for abit untill the roundabout just out side keswick , where he upped the pace and i could know longer stay with him. legging it back into the park just how we had started 11 hours before was orsome making it to the HQ i fell on the floor for a well deserved rest......
And please find a link to Winners Steve Nash's excellent account.
Firstly Roger Fowkes who came in 2nd:
mental.......... really enjoyed the event ever step of the way just like you said. it started for me @ 12.00pm on the friday when i left work, some 9 hours later we made it to Fitz park. due to chaos on the m6 around j19 it was shut. we came up though Windermere and passed hellvelan that's when i leapt out the van and planted my first stash of food and drink, another food stash along the road to keswick and i was sorted. 6.15 am we were off steve nash starts legging it out the park in the same direction as me i thought hang on a minute we got 70km to go, but i could not rested and stared to run too. over the bridge out the park steve turns right i go left. i don't hardly see any one until the top of scafell, my route took me down the main road to rosthwaite, up the grains gill , i kept looking around to see if i could see steve or anyone else but no one. i made the top of scafell pike in pretty high spirits knowing that not seeing steve coming back across from the top towards hellvlan meant that i was probably ahead, a couple of minutes later conformation, after i had descended off the top and stared to climb again towards broad peak, bang there he was a lean mean fighting machine all in black moving pretty rapidly towards me. we were both on a mission and did not hang around to xschang plsantreys. as we passed each other he said did you fly here, i replied you must be joking.....then i new i had to push hard to stop the attack of the nash i only had a small lead. the viss was good for the next section ( i was worried it was going to be in cloud making route finding very hard). but i cleaned the section before the worst of the whether hit. After contouring around high rise just dropping into the valley, i see Nick with his ski poles coming the other way thought blimy he's going well. coming down wythburn fells and onto the road i was starting to feel knackered. it stared to lash it down i continued on to the car park where i had my stash of goodies. t shirt off waterproof on karons cake in my mouth refill water bottles and grab the lucazade and i was off again. exiting the car park i see the main man gordie he's refuelling as well i ask if he's done the skiddaw and helvellyn, yes he says wow that's 2 down 1 to go i thought. The two bottles of lucazde did the job and i was feeling farly sharp again. up the steep path out through the woods and into the open, zig zaging up the hill I kept looking around to see if the nash was coming. as nuts are nuts he was there like a hunter and me beeing the hunted. i kept pushing up the hill and soon i disapeered into the cloud, out of sight out of mind i thourght. off the top and down to the road, once on the road i pretty much joged my way back to keswick. there was no sign of the hunter and i thought i was safe. little did i know he had gone a diffarant route. i had choosen to go back through fitz park to take on more water then down the a591 to millbeck, up the steep allerdale ramble. the top was in cloud and i was not to sure if i was at the top or not come on roge keep going untill you find the trig piont. got the pics and had just left the summit ,when out of the mist jumped the nash. i waved my finger @ him and thought oh no you dont. i new i had to run all the way down the skiddaw if i was going to keep the nash off my back. i made it down on to the road i think i had opened up a small cap. but i was shot to bits. i tred jogging along the flat road back to the park but just could not do it..... i kept looking round to see were he was.he was take the shortest line through every bend and runing.he had me, there was not a drop of juice left in my engine. steve what a top bloke gave me the last of his water and walked with me for abit untill the roundabout just out side keswick , where he upped the pace and i could know longer stay with him. legging it back into the park just how we had started 11 hours before was orsome making it to the HQ i fell on the floor for a well deserved rest......
And please find a link to Winners Steve Nash's excellent account.