Pie n Pickle Plod

There's an organisation called 'It's Grim Up North Running' that organises races right across Yorkshire. They were apparently behind races along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal this weekend, starting and finishing in Saltaire: 'Sir Titus Pie n Pickle Plod'. Entrants could choose to run 5km, 10km, 10 Miles, Half Marathon, Marathon or Ultra. I stumbled across it on my usual walk. It all looked very well organised, with marshals and portaloos. Obviously it would have been more photogenic to have been there at 8.30 am when they all set off... but there's no chance of that (for me) on a damp, chilly, misty and thoroughly miserable day. Though I suppose that's perhaps a good day for running. 

By the time I arrived, a few runners were back (including Scooby Doo!), presumably just finished. 

Running is clearly a popular sport these days. Whenever I walk along the canal towpath I am always passed by at least one and often many more folks slogging along. To be honest, very few of them look that fit! Perhaps appearances are deceptive. I've never been a runner myself. Even as I child I hated it, it used to give me a stitch in my side. So kudos to anyone who tries. 

I've just been marvelling at those very hardy souls who enter the Winter Montane Spine Race, running the entire length of the Pennine Way: 268 miles of non-stop endurance running, mostly in atrocious conditions. This year the start coincided with Storm Goretti, which brought snow, ice and gale force winds. Read about the races HERE. This year's winner was a Frenchman, Sebastien Raichon, in 95 hours 43 minutes and 52 seconds. The female winner, Brit Anna Troup, took 106 hours, 19 minutes and 12 seconds. In some ways, those who take longer are more resilient, having to endure the dreadful conditions for anything up to seven days with hardly any sleep. Utterly mad but also astonishingly brave. I don't know why it doesn't get more publicity, but perhaps it's deliberate to stop crowds of onlookers converging.