Blanchland Moon Runner – 9th December 2023

by Sam Etherington

This race was a new one to the series and going from the previous events it was going to be a good one. I didn’t realise however, before entering, that it clashed with the NE Champs so I’d double booked myself and felt I had to give both a go.

After a good run out at South Shields I had a couple hours turnaround before heading up towards Northumberland, Amy came along as well to see if she could use an entry from Hamsterley on the day as South Shields wasn’t enough apparently.

Before the start of the race it was apparent it was going to be a wet & windy experience; as well as finding out half the course was well water-logged and more or less a river in places. But we both got near the front and got off to a good start.

I tagged along with a good fell runner from Belfast who went on to win the race by a good few minutes and, after the 2 mile slog up hill, left me to fend for myself across the moors where visibility (even with the head torch) was minimal. I was struggling under foot as I couldn’t tell what was what and bit the dust a few times, this went on for a good 4 mile; battling amongst small ponds, side winds, narrow waterlogged trails & cold weather.

I struggled the last few miles, I felt as though I was treading water but knew in my head that as long as I could make the most of the downhill, I had 2nd place, and held it by 20 seconds, but 3rd place must have thrown himself down the hill, as he was nowhere in sight not long before. Amy on the other hand used the frustrating conditions to fuel her and ended up finishing stronger than she started, taking out her anger on the course and coming back 1st lady & 11th overall

We both bagged ourselves a free headlight & a race entry, but with one more of the series left (Whinlatter) it’s one that I’d rather was over and done with.

Sam