"When 50 mile races aren't long enough anymore then why not race the 110 miles of the The Cleveland Way?  NYMAC's very own Superman reports on this stupendous achievement...... 

After organising the Cleveland Way Relay several times, I was quite intrigued reading about a new event on the same route, the Hardmoors 110. At first I was put off by the requirements of a support team, but when I learned from a fellow runner that an entry without a support team was a possibility, I secured my entry as quickly as possible.

As usual, what seems like a good challenge and a bright idea at the time often turns into doubt and questioning on the starting line. But there I was at the starting line, Friday evening 17:00. Too late to change my mind and the bit of cold I had in the days before the run was not really sufficient to count as an excuse. At least the weather was nice, with a clear night ahead and sunshine forecast for Saturday.
I set off with Neil Ridsdale, who was going to run and support me at least through the night until Saltburn. We were quite surprised to find ourselves quickly in the lead with only David Chippet keeping up with us. We ran together through the early, easy parts of the event. After Sutton Bank, David indicated that he had missed his wife at the checkpoint and he might be without a light. Luckily Neil had a spare light, which David could borrow until Osmotherley. At Osmotherley, David’s wife was missing at the checkpoint in the village, and again, at the support point at Sheepwash. At that point, David returned the light and walked back to Osmotherley in a quest to meet up with his wife. Not the type of start that you would wish for in such an event.

Neil and I carried on towards our next meeting points where we were getting some hot food. I had agreed with Lydia that she would provide some hot food for me at Carlton Bank, while Neil had his feeding point at Clay Bank. Therefore arriving at Carlton Bank, Neil carried on, while I had my quick, hot dinner. As I left Carlton Bank, the runner in 2nd place was just arriving i.e. our lead wasn’t much at that point. I then started the climb across the Cleveland Hills, and it was here that I first started to feel a bit dizzy and not quite in my usual form after climbing up the hills. I was glad to meet up with Neil again at Clay Bank, from where we started the unsupported night section to Saltburn, with only some food dropped off at Kildale and Slapewath to keep us going. On the long stretches across Battersby Moor, the climb out of Kildale, and along to Roseberry Topping, we could spot lights behind us in the distance.

Climbing back up Little Roseberry, we once again met the 2nd place runner. As it’s normally about 15 mins to do the dog-leg to Roseberry Topping we had a reasonable lead. However, such a lead means nothing if you can’t maintain a good pace, and at that point, I did not feel like maintaining any pace at all. Neil kept on leaping ahead and waiting for me. It became quite frustrating and irritating not being able to keep up with him. First thoughts of packing in crossed my mind, but then it seemed unreasonable to prepare for a 24 hours race and then stop before even spending half the time running. As Saturday was supposed to bring some nice weather, I made a plan to continue, either running or walking, until at least 24 hours were up. I would then review the situation at that point.

Arriving at Saltburn, I felt my lowest during the event so I was really glad to see Marc Mason, who had promised to support me through Saturday morning. I asked him to meet me again at Skinningrove and to have some hot breakfast ready there. Shortly after the climb out of Saltburn, Neil decided that he had waited enough and that he would move ahead now at his own, much faster pace. That was the last I saw of him. However, as he had not entered the race officially, it did not take away my lead in the race. In some ways I was quite glad to be left on my own at that point, so that I could run at my own pace and let my mind wander which helped me to keep me moving.

Soon enough I arrived at Skinningrove, and after some hot food I carried on feeling quite a lot better. Staithes came and went, and shortly before arriving at Runswick Bay, day broke and I could get rid of my head torch after carrying it for almost 12 hours. At Runswick Bay, Marc was waiting with some more hot food, which went down a treat. Little by little I made progress, shuffling along on the flat or downward bits and walking on all the climbs, continuously wondering when someone would pass me so that I would not win the free entry for next years event or I would not have to go back to Filey on Sunday for presentations. I managed to travel at something between 4 and 5 miles an hour through Sandsend and into Whitby. From Whitby to Robin Hoods Bay I was joined by Marc’s son Ben and one of his friends. Their chatter about football, baseball and basketball kept me entertained without having to have to offer anything to the conversation.

Shortly before Robin Hoods Bay, Marc waited for us again and he advised that Ian Hodgson would be meeting me at the car park. Ian would run the remaining distance with me, support me and try to photograph me in all the most awkward situations. I have been running with Ian quite regularly and it was good to have him as company. He had run a few ultra events as well and he seemed to know what was needed at all times. With the coffee and the potatoes he provided, and the occasional Gel (not shell, Ian!), I kept fuelled and was able to run most of the flat and downhill sections. We made steady progress and although pace had dropped to about 4 miles/hr we soon arrived in Scarborough. The path along the Scarborough Seafront was most surreal as due to the nice weather, the streets were lined with people out enjoying the sunshine. We constantly had to manoeuvre around them, though at least when we went through Scarborough it was still mid afternoon, and the people were still in reasonable condition (i.e. not too drunk). I heard during the presentation that some of the runners had been badly heckled while running through Scarborough.

There was another climb out of Scarborough to the last checkpoint and on towards Filey. I was quite familiar with this last section having run it a couple of times in the Cleveland Way Relay. Running becomes a lot easier on familiar ground, and it did not seem too long before Filey came into view. Once Filey was in sight it seemed that it shouldn’t have been far to the finish, but it just goes on and on until at last the turn-off for Filey Brigg arrives. It was then just a quick shuffle out of Filey Brigg and then on to the Finish itself.

24hrs 20 mins (I believe). I was first official finisher of the race. However, Neil had already arrived almost 2 hours earlier. With my run, I am now the official record holder for running The Cleveland Way (there was no official record kept until now, according to the National Park Official who set us off). I hope to be back next year to defend my title! There were 26 runners who started the event and 18 finishers. I have not seen any official results yet, other than what was verbally communicated at the presentation, and not much of that stuck. There should be results, pictures, etc. be provided shortly at www.hardmoors110.co.uk

©Martin Dietrich
 

Hardmoors 110 results 2008

Photos courtesy of Ian Hodgson show Martin in varying degrees of distress working his way down the coast.

The final photo shows Martin with his prize for winning - the legendary sword Excalibur!