The planetFear Open 12 Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales provided the terrain for the planetFear Open 12, which took place over the 26^th and 27^th June.  With stunning weather forecast for the majority of the weekend morale was high amongst the competitors and the opportunity for a cracking race, in such lush surroundings and good company provided the determination to do well, while for some a desire to get home to watch the footy on Sunday afternoon provided the impetus to cross the line in good time.  Those few needn't have bothered, enough said.

This second race of the series was seen as a chance for the leading teams in the elite class to press home their lead, or in some cases improve their rank in the overall standings,where points had perhaps been dropped in the Coniston 5+ event back in May (see Bum-gate from the previous article).  For most however, it was a chance to enjoy a great weekend of running, biking and map reading with the added spice of a few high-scoring bonus activities thrown in to keep everyone on their bruised toes.

Day one saw competitors meeting for the briefing in West Burton before being driven by coach to a remote start north east of Sedbergh, a journey which for many placed too much strain on by now super-hydrated bladders.

The planetFear Open 12 gets underway.

With fifteen minutes to go before the start of the race the teams made final preparations and checked and double-checked their routes and strategies, a calm silence falling across the field before the jostle to the line for the mass start. 

As the countdown reached zero and began counting its way back up to the allotted 12 hours, the 62 teams hit the initial incline in the weekend's first running stage.  Powering uphill towards the first controls at an astounding pace, the teams began to split off across Hashygill Moss at the foot of Wild Boar Fell, but within twenty minutes of the start a bottleneck at the third control had teams queuing as only Brits can, to dib before pushing on to gain further altitude. 

Tow lines at the ready.

With only three kilometres of the race completed the gap between the teams at the front of the field and the majority of runners was already beginning to open up, as Team planetFear's very own Helen Jackson and Ant Emmet joined the male pair of Team adidas TERREX and Phil Scarf and Andy Mitchell, amongst others, to steal a march on the rest of the pack.  Within the whole of day one the fastest five teams had only minutes separating them - the need to clear up and gather maximum points was clear on the faces of these leading teams, as early in the race as the tenth control at the summit of Wild Boar Fell.

Hell Gill provided the first of the special stages.

Falling into their various rhythms the teams were by now strung far and wide across the fell as the first pairings began to descend the steep, rocky bridleway into Mallerstang Dale, before another slog up a track took them to the first special stage and transition at Hell Gill Canyon.   After a brief briefing on safety and the addition of helmets the teams entered the glorious Hell Gill where a maximum of 100 points were on offer somewhere amidst the rocks and ice-cold pools of the steep-sided gully.  Once out it was a race against time and lactic acid to move through the weekend's first transition and onto the first mountain bike stage.  After posting the day's fastest run, Phil Scarf and Andy Mitchell were in a great position to push on their advantage on four wheels.

Speedily traversing the bleak escarpment of Lunds Fell on flat, dry trails and grassed moorland the leading competitors were by now within scrubbing distance of one another's tyres and a real sense of urgency and ultra-competition had heated up proceedings.  Cue the weekend's only spot of bad weather.  It seems that in the Yorkshire Dales - even with clear blue skies - it's a case of can rain, will rain.  And boy did it rain.  Not enough to dampen the spirit and desire of the Open 12's competitors however, as another 50 points were on hand in the Cotter Force waterfall after a wicked descent and climb up to Garsdale Head and Turner Hill.

Mechanical problems mid-race.

Eating up the kilometres on a mixture of bridleways and B-roads, the teams now faced the hard decision of whether to head directly past the temptation of the finish line for the last special stage of the day at Hardraw Force falls - where a plunge pool challenge offered another essential 100 points to those willing to punish their bodies further - or save it until they had collected the last remaining controls and could pass the finish knowing it was only a quick soaking away.  Having to run wet and cold past the finish to their bikes and head back out proved just how much focus, determination and stamina is required of an adventure racer.

After the first day's efforts the top three female pairs were separated by only 30 points and 10 minutes, the male pairs by 25 points and 10 minutes and the mixed pairs by 30 points and just 3 minutes.  Clearly day two was going to be interesting!  For the time being though it was time to rest and recuperate at the overnight camp and hydrate those tired bodies.  Just as well that the campsite was situated in the grounds of a splendid free-house.

Having been briefed the night before, the competitors awoke at 6am to break camp and embark on the first stage of the day.  This was to prove a real kick-start to the system and would surely clear any cobwebs from tired eyes and stiff legs.  An abseil stage had been rigged above the plunge pool at Hardraw Force, facing competitors with a 100 foot controlled drop worth another 100 points. 

The 100ft abseil down to the pool at Hardraw Force.

Leaving the foot of the abseil the teams began the second run stage of the event heading south across lush green meadows and collecting controls around the villages of Hawes, Gayle and Burtersett.  The option of a long or short run provided casual competitors with a mild respite, while the race was very much back on for the elite teams wanting to take advantage of the extra points available on the long course via the summit of Wether Fell.  

Descending the south face of the fell both courses now directed the teams to the final special stage of the event at Semer Water, where a 400 metre swim provided the by now hot, aching bodies of the runners with a chance to cool off from the stonking summer sunshine.  With rucksacks providing either lots of buoyancy or lots of drag - depending on their watertight credentials - the teams began to emerge from the water, some brimming with delight at the cool offerings of the lake, others clutching at thighs vying to coax more life from their tired muscles.

The chill of the swim is apparent.

After a quick - and very public - change out of wet clothes by the lake it was onto stage 4 of the event, and the final mtb leg back to registration and the finish line at West Burton.  With around 25km separating the remaining 8 controls the elite teams began to push harder and harder for control of the race, with many of them riding flat out, neck and neck down sections of road to gain the advantage.  It was testament to the good planning as well as the physical ability of the top three teams in each class that they had picked up controls in almost exactly the same sequence.  In the end - and as is always the case at the sharp end of any sport - for most teams it came down to just a couple of points and a few minutes on the day.

For some the excitement was all too much.

Regardless of their standing in the race, the relief and enjoyment of all the competitors was clear to see at the finish line as the teams raced up the road to dib at the final checkpoint, some collapsing over the line to the rapturous applause which greeted all 124 adventure athletes.  A fantastic weekend of racing was had by all and without any hitches thanks to the meticulous planning and cooperation of the Open Adventure staff and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. 

Male pairs:

1 Tom Gibbs/John Houlihan (centre)

2 Tom Hodgkinson/Alistair Morris (left)

3 Andy Mitchell/Phil Scarf (right)

Female Pairs:

1 Barbara Lonsdale/Jackie Scarf (centre)

2 Liz Barlow/Sally Ozanne (right)

3 Jenny Allen/Judith Hughes (left)

Mixed Pairs:

1 Anthony Emmet/Helen Jackson (centre)

2 Steve Fisher/Fi Spotswood (right)

3 Simon Enderby/Fiona McBryde (left)

With the points so close going into the final race the series is still there for the taking and the next test promises to be the toughest on mind and body as the Open 24 gets underway in July.  The very best of luck to all those competing, we'll see you there.

For more details on the final race in the planetFear Open Advnture Series taking place in Wales on the 24th/25th July see the planetFear event listing here>>>

All Images - James Swann