Three Peaks Challenge
On Saturday 30th June at 6:00pm, five Biggleswade AC runners set off from the foot of Ben Nevis in Scotland, with 26 miles of running and walking, 11000 feet of ascent and 500 miles of car driving ahead of them. Roger Wadeley (61), Nigel Bush (59), Jan Forrester (55), Chris Clarke (54) and Neil Gregory (46) were all looking forward to the challenge awaiting them - to climb and descend the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales, and drive between the mountains, all within 24 hours.
The initial climb up Ben Nevis (4410ft) went well, although the rocky paths were very slippery and treacherous after days of rain, but we enjoyed superb views across the mountains and lochs, until we entered the cloud layer at 3500 feet. At this point the weather deteriorated and we finally reached the summit in 2 hrs, in freezing temperatures with strong winds and rain. After a photograph and celebratory drink of Isle of Jura Malt Whiskey at the summit cairn, we started our descent to warmer climes. As we emerged from the cloud base, we once again enjoyed spectacular views of the sun setting over Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil. With one mile to go, Jan lost her footing and damaged her ankle, but after some emergency repairs we were able to continue, and finished the descent in an elapsed time of 3hrs 38mins.
On reaching the car, we changed out of soaked clothing, ate some food (mainly cold rice pudding, bananas and cake) and set off on the 270 mile drive to Wasdale Head in the Lake District at 10:25pm. The overnight drive through Glencoe, Loch Lomond and Glasgow proved uneventful, but extremely tiring. By the time we reached Wasdale Head at 4:00am we'd had little or no sleep. But, unperturbed, we set of up Scafell Pike (3210ft) at 4:23am - on the WRONG path and the wrong side of a raging torrent! Sleep deprivation does this to you! We stumbled up the valley in driving rain and eventually managed to re-join the correct path, which wound its way steeply to the summit. After what seemed like an eternity, we reached the summit cairn in freezing rain, and once again the whiskey was quaffed, mainly for medicinal purposes this time. The descent in the wet slippery conditions was very difficult, but we finally arrived back at the car after 3hrs 29min.
After a change of clothes, and more rice pudding, we set off on the 220 mile drive to Llanberis in North Wales at 8:30am. The tortuous drive over Hardnott Pass and Wrynose Pass was exceptionally beautiful, but it was very slow going, and quite painful for five aching bodies. We finally reached the M6 Motorway near Kendall, and the miles started to fly by. Llanberis in North Wales was reached just after 1:00pm which gave us 5 hours to complete the challenge up and down Snowdon (3550ft). By this time Jan's injured ankle was too bad to continue, so the four men set off up the Miners Track at 1:25pm, once again in driving rain. Tiring limbs made this a very tough climb, and it was very cold, wet and windy on the summit, but we finally descended the mountain to finish the challenge at 4:30pm, an overall total of 22 hours and 30 mins.
After a welcome shower at the hotel, a change of clothes and a meal in Llanberis, we all felt a lot better, and pleased to have completed the challenge within 24 hours, especially in the poor weather conditions. Some of us said we might even do it again!
Kingfisher Way
Many thanks to all those who took part in this year's Summer Edition of the Kingfisher Way training run on 15th July. The weather was kind (no rain) but the neck-high stinging nettles near Blunham were not.
Biggleswade AC Club Tour Fri 5th to Mon 8th October 2007
There are now 24 people booked to go on the trip to the Derbyshire Peak District. We are staying in four well appointed cottages at Darwin Lakes near Matlock in Derbyshire (see http://www.darwinlake.co.uk).
During the next few weeks we shall put together an itinerary for the weekend, including one or two training runs with runners from the local Matlock AC club (Jan Forrester's club). Please let Nigel know if you have any suggestions for the itinerary.
Club Rounders (Juniors v Seniors) and BBQ
Please keep Tuesday 21st August free for the annual Rounders match (Juniors V Seniors) and BBQ at the track. Last year was a brilliant event and we hope to repeat it again this year.
The Seniors Tuesday (and Thursday) Night Programme
You can find these and other training events in the training section of the Club website
