Terry's High 5 - Race Report & Results

Created on Monday, 02 March 2020 17:07

Last Updated on Monday, 02 March 2020 20:51

Written by Neil Gunn

Race report for the first Fell Champs & Local Peaks race, Terry’s High 5, has very kindly been provided by Strava wordsmith Kathleen O'Donnell who was First Lady, setting the ladies course record for this inaugural race. Results are at the bottom of the report.

“Everyone woke up to the dulcet sounds of torrential rain on Saturday morning, however it soon eased and as everyone warmed up around Trentabank the weather did too. There was a buzz of nervous excitement at the start line - Nessit Hill looms large before you so it is just as well the heart is already beating at full pelt. Those who knew Terry were thinking and chatting about great runs we had had with him around the forest and elsewhere - remembering how he always took time to chat and laugh with everyone in his company, encouraging everyone and making every run fun. Those who didn't know Terry were able to hear and feel his lovely legacy. Emma set everyone off up the ShutlingSlow Slog. I was amazed to hear people chatting on the way up Nessit - great effort. 

I liked seeing the other clubs that had also come - including Congleton and even Helm Hill - go on Carl !

It was great to have all the friendly Harriers support on the way up, it is much needed and welcomed. There is the lovely down hill before you get to Terry's bench which is such a delight after the hill. It was nice to high 5 Terry's bench on the way past and thank all the supporters that were there. It was good to get a bit of a break and enjoy walking up the side of Shuts - we were all blown away in more ways than one but as always to see Simon Harding running back down having already been down and up Shuts from the other side go on Simon! Emma, Dave and the marshal team on top of shuts were brilliant, I have no idea how they managed to police the cross roads of people going up and down the different ways - the support was brilliant and much appreciated. The descent on the other side of Shuts was tricky - quite muddy and slippy and I kept trying to see what the person in front was doing with their foot work but I couldn't manage to copy it.  It was great to see Barrie at the bottom encouraging everyone for the final ascent. I enjoyed getting to walk again and even got to have a chat with Dave, who was running brilliantly, about how he was a live ad of the benefit of tempo runs and the gain from their pain.  Then came the fun descent - hitting it hard across the flagstones and down into the forest. I had great memories of Monday night Teggs Nose runs with Terry on the descent - he was brilliant on that particular descent, so fast and sure footed and I remember he would always shout to those behind him to mind the steps so I thought of him and tried my best! Then came the turn at the bottom where there is an awful sting in the tail - tried my best up that but found it so tough. However, I kept thinking come on, it's only round the corner now! Was pleased to get to the top and enjoy descending again - lovely to see Lynne, Steve and the other marshals at the turn - however, again I thought oh no as I remembered the final slog up to Trentabank from Forest 5, I always find that gunnel so difficult. It was really great to run into the finish line and hear all the lovely Harrier support for everyone - really lovely to see Emma and William there handing out the Terry's High 5 beer bottles - a lovely picture of Terry flying down Shuts in his element, as we all remember him, loved the Passion for Running logo, Terry to a T! 

It was great to head over to the lovely cake stall and avail of all the delights, a special treat was the Terry's chocolate orange cake - thank you to Gill and all the cake bakers! Great to chat to everyone afterwards, everyone had found it so tough but loved every minute also - we are always chatting about how lucky we are to be able to run in such a gorgeous area. Everyone did brilliantly - a resounding PB for one and all and a great High 5 to Terry whose spirit carried us all round! The plaques that had been specially made for the prizes were really beautiful - a great picture of Terry on the front coming down Shuts - we can all remember him on that route in his element  - on the back it says 'You never know how far you can go unless you try' and by God we all tried our best at the race - thank you very much to Emma Beveridge, Emma Mason, William and all the marshals, bakers and organisers for a fantastic event and some great memories of running with Terry.  Well done everyone!”

Kathleen O'Donnell

PLEASE NOTE
The next Local Peaks race is Mow Cop on the 5th of April, £5 EOD only.
More details here: http://www.mowcoprunner.com/Pages/MCHillRace.aspx

RESULTS