Shining Tor fell race

Race: Shining Tor fell race, Goyt Valley (10k/1700ft)
Time/Position: 46.26 (40th from 232)
Looking for a pretext to visit my old friend Jon in the Peak, I settled on this race which coincidentally took in very similar ground to the run Vic and I had enjoyed in truly vile conditions on the 3rd of January. It is a really cracking circuit of Cheshire's highpoint, very runnable throughout, which leaves from the Errwood reservoir far below the ridgeline. Ideal for me, still coming off a long winter season devoted to road running, desperately trying to develop hill fitness before the summer fell races. The fields in these parts are always very impressive and competitive, so I started well back and just enjoyed the event. A road section along the lake side gave way to a narrow track and the start of the long but relatively gentle climb up towards the tops from the far end of the lake. This goes past Erwood Hall, then up zig zags to climb above the Shooter's Clough valley, eventually emerging on the spur which leads to the Cat and Fiddle. From here, the path heads north-west to a steeper (but still eminently runnable) path to the top of Shining Tor. Most of this was familiar ground from our January run, and it was nice to be able to see the distant views north from the subsequent ridge over Cats Tor to Pym's Chair. This gives superb, fast running throughout: much of it on slabs, conditions quite good throughout, cool, cloudy and dry. The final descent down The Street and Jep Clough is steeper, and I held back a bit - losing a few places - until emerging back at Erwood Reservoir and a final fast road section across the dam. Great race, thoroughly enjoyed it. After a quick wash in the lake, I drove to Jon's house in Darley Dale: always a very pleasant drive at dusk.