By Graham Robinson
On the day, 130 odd runners gathered outside The Queens Arms pub in Glossop to take on the Doctors Gate 12.7 mile fell race with its 3300 ft of ascent.
All week I’d been keeping an eye on Sunday’s weather forecast, hoping conditions would improve. With weather warnings given, they couldn’t get much worse!
The route took the old packhorse track out of Old Glossop with the gradient increasing as we joined the Pennine Way. Here, a great tail wind helped propel us for a mile before we turned into the gale force Westerly, forecasted with 70mph gusts. These conditions made passing the historic bomber wreckage site look all the more dramatic. I’ve never experienced weather like it. Constantly buffeted off route, occasionally on all fours, with crossing stiles an exciting effort as legs were blown sideways in the wind!
A fast descent rejoined the Dr’s Gate path, providing a welcome, if only temporary, respite from the wind.
The rest of the race passed by like a whirlwind. Checkpoints were punched, steep ascents climbed, more all-fours action, bog hopping, fast descents, and even one high spin tumble thrown in for good measure.
I finished the race, back at pub, in 42nd place, gratefully receiving a bowl of hot soup and rolls.