Saunders Lakeland mountain marathon, day 1

Race: SLMM (Bowfell class) day 1 (22.6k/1300m)
Time/position: 6:35:30 (23/50)
First attempt at the Saunders - a splendid event and an enjoyable weekend, marred only by one appalling route choice on day two. The first day began well. After a pleasant camp in Coniston, Stef and I began the Bowfell course in light drizzle. After getting the control coordinates, we climbed gently up to Crook Beck and located the first CP below a crag. The next leg was a very long haul over the shoulder of Birk Fell and down to Widdy Gill. Then a long road climb up to Wrynose Pass before branching off north to the CP south of Pike o'Blisco. Feeling quite good, we jogged NW to Red Tarn then cut across the shoulder of Great Knott to cross a boggy plateau in a light shower. Steep but fast descent down Swinsty Gill to satisfying route plotting across the marshy ground leading to upper Eskdale. Followed a small stream on a bearing to land dead-on the re-entrant for CP 3, then easily down to the next control on a knoll. Gentle jogging over marshy terrain led to hidden Stony Tarn and a well-hidden control in an old ruin between steep knolls. We descended into Eskdale, then up a final steep climb to CP 6 in a little valley beyond Kepple Crag. A good route suggestion by Stef saw us gain a little time by countouring a spur to easily gain a runnable bridleway which led lengthily down Grassguards gill to the final check in Wallbarrow gorge. We were now in the Duddon Valley, and jogged down a marked route to the pleasant overnight camp at Turner Hall farm. A very pleasant evening, save for a lengthy heavy shower, with several acquaintances at camp. Nice views of Duddon, Harter Fell and the Coniston group.