.....................HeadingNorth

63 Miles (101km); 8202ft (2500m) Ascent; 18 Hours max

I had been trying to get to the start line of the HM60 since 2023, but for one reason or another hadn’t made it, so I was determined that I was going be there for the start in 2025. I knew that training needed to focus on building miles and time on my legs if I was going to give myself the best chance of getting to the finish (63miles) within the cut-off (18hours). As I started to build the training, I realised that a run in September is less than ideal for me as it means the bulk of the training would be during the summer and I don’t do well in sunny or warm weather. I decided that one way of ensuring I got some longer sessions in during the summer was to enter some events to supplement my training – not worrying about the time taken to complete them, just getting time on my legs regardless of the weather and therefore my pace. In June, I looked for friendly events through July and August which still had places available and entered 4 which were spread across the two months – these were The Matlock Skyline; The Yorkshire Wolds Ultra; The Cordwell Colossus and the HM Roseberry Marathon (see separate posts...when I've caught up with them!).

As the HM60 approached, the forecast changed almost daily, for a while looking like it would be dry and not too sunny or warm – perfect! However, as the event got closer, all that changed and by the time race morning came it was forecast to be very wet all day! I stepped outside the accommodation early in the morning to check the weather before deciding on what to wear and what to carry. It was raining and warm, so shorts and waterproof jacket seemed the best option, with waterproof legs and a warm mid-layer in my pack as well as long tights, long sleeve top and all the mandatory kit, as it looked like the rain would continue all day, with increasing winds.

Registration went smoothly and we sheltered in the rugby club for the race briefing where it was made clear that all cut-offs were absolute and no one would be allowed to continue after these times. I took note, but also ensured I didn’t let it push me to set off too fast – I had been practicing this in each of my training runs and this approach had helped me avoid the worst of the nausea and sickness that I often suffer with. I reminded myself, that my aim was just to meet the cut-offs and finish within the 18hrs allowed.

The race started in the rain, the first section included a few places where narrow paths up through the trees meant slowing down and waiting as people bunched up – this was a good thing for me, stopping me trying to go faster than I needed to. It felt hard going and a bit of a drag out to the first checkpoint at Saltburn band stand, but it was good to chat to a few other runners on that section and down to the coast. From here the route followed the coast path for the remaining 53miles, up and down the coastal cliffs, sometimes on the beach and through various coastal villages and towns.

The path got progressively wet and muddy, as the rain continued to fall. My feet had been wet since well before reaching the coast and now my the very open weave of my shoe uppers, started taking on grit and sand with the water – I decided that on reaching the Sandsend checkpoint, 26ish miles in, I would change my socks for a pair of Dexshell 'waterproof' socks, I knew they wouldn’t keep the water out, but would stop the grit and sand that was coming into my shoes, from reaching my skin. Running down through Staithes and up through the town in the pouring rain, I briefly considered going in to one of the café’s and calling it a day… only very briefly as I reminded myself what I had come here to do and how much effort had gone in to getting to the start, I pushed onwards. Eventually I reached Runswick Bay, 21miles in, the rain was pretty torrential by now, so I picked up my drop bag (containing 2 fruit puree pouches) from the grass and kept moving, only to find with the rain, I couldn’t grip to open the fruit puree pouches, but fortunately I was chatting to a fellow runner at that point and he was able to open them for me. The climb up from the beach was treacherous in places, but with a bit of care we were back on the cliff tops… not that it was always obvious as the sea mist filled in the cliffs and hid the sea and the cliff edge.

Steve and Penny had come along to support me and were waiting for me at Sandsend, so I used the back of the car to perch while I changed my socks, and I had a cup of tea before setting off again. The stretch along the road out of Sandsend was grueling, I much prefer the cliffs, fields and beaches but I slowly progressed, eventually coming in to Whitby… my least favourite part of the route – tricky (for me) navigation and then dodging tourists umbrellas and wet dogs on long leads through the old town before climbing the steps to the Abbey, and eventually back on to the coast path and past the checkpoint at Hornblower Lodge (32miles).

Eventually I reached the top of Robin Hoods Bay where Steve and Penny were waiting with another cup of tea and a slice of cold pizza. I decided to take advantage of a little bit of shelter from the car and get my mid-layer from my pack and put it on under my now sodden waterproof, the warmth and comfort was immediate. I debated putting my waterproof trousers on, but decided to push on a bit further. The wind was picking up and as I descended to RHB and back up to the cliff top, I started to feel cold on my legs, so after the descent to Boggle Hole, I paused and put my waterproof trousers and over mitts on. The weather was now getting quite wild and I focused on getting to Ravenscar (the only indoor checkpoint) at 40ish miles.

Ravenscar checkpoint is up an out and back section of road and as I approached there was a lot of activity of cars and people around the hall. On entering the hall, it was packed and I sat down on a chair in the doorway between the check-in desk and the food and drinks. A volunteer brought me a cup of tea and my drop bag (2 fruit puree pouches) and while I drank my tea, I looked at people packed in to the room, taking off wet layers, chatting, eating and drinking. I decided I wasn’t going to push through to get to the food and join in with the crowd, I had enough food and drink with me and I felt there was a danger of not getting out of the checkpoint if I got drawn in to all the people, so I finished my tea and my fruit puree and told the desk I was about to head back out. There was a quick kit check of head torch, batteries etc and I was off into the wind and rain again.

Along this section darkness fell and the wind continued to pick up, it was a real battle in parts, the wind blowing poles and legs making progress slow and at one point I was blow off my feet completely, tired legs making it a challenge to get back up and keep moving. Along the way there was some cliff-top scrub to my left and out popped a badger… I’m not sure which of us was more surprised, but after a brief pause looking at me, it disappeared back in to the scrub – I meanwhile apologised to the badger and confirmed that, yes I am mad to be up here in this!

It was a long slog to Crookness checkpoint, the wooden steps down the hills proving just as challenging as the climbs up and the wind pelting the rain and blowing me off course – I was using my poles to stop me being blown off the path completely, with some gusts giving me a bit of a fright as I couldn’t see the cliff edge. I didn’t stop at Crookness as I didn’t need anything, I focused on getting to Scarbrough, normally not something I looked forward to, but the 3 miles from one end of the town to the other would at least offer a respite from the muddy, uneven cliff path and surrounding ground. I met Steve and Penny in Scarborough – and told them I was OK if I was timed out at the next checkpoint… to which they grinned and informed me I had plenty of time… I’m not sure if I was pleased or disappointed at the time! Penny came with me through Scarborough and Steve met us with another cup of tea at the checkpoint car park (53miles) – the weather at the checkpoint was extremely wild, although it was only a few cars away, I couldn’t initially see it through the wind and rain until the light they were waving to us broke through the weather. One of the marshals showed me where to go to get on the path, I couldn’t see or hear anything over the storm, but set off in the direction he indicated with his torch beam and soon found the line of the path to follow back up on to the cliff tops.

The last stretch from Scarbrough to Filey was really wild with winds whipping and whirling and rain lashing, I was again buffeted and at one point blown completely off my feet, tired legs making it challenging to get back up from the muddy path and tussocky grass edges. As I caught up with another runner, I decided to adjust my pace so that I kept him in sight, we passed each other a couple of times, but it was impossible to converse over the weather. I began to think the stones representing the end of the Cleveland way would never come, occasionally thinking hopefully, that perhaps I had missed them. Then, there they were, looming out of the dark and I felt a big smile cross my face – nearly there! One more down and up then on to the front at Filey, before turning up the hill to the finish… made it! I arrived tired, dishevelled and soaked, but happy to have kept pushing on despite the conditions. At the finish, my tracker was removed, then I shown to a chair where I sat while another amazing volunteer removed my shoes and pointed me to the seats in the hall. What a challenge and adventure that had been! It turned out that Ravenscar was the wettest place in North Yorkshire that day, with 82.5mm rainfall - just over a months worth in 1 day!

Absolutely massive thanks to everyone involved in the event and all those who stood out in horrendous conditions to support us in achieving our goals – brilliant people and fantastic organisation!

Lessons from this one:

Have a variety of gear both to wear and carry and decide on the day, depending on conditions, the forecast can change right up to the last minute. My clothes worked well – Shoes - Inov8 Roclite 290’s, Drymax liner socks and Dexshell ‘waterproof’ socks, Rab Talus Trail shorts, Rab Sonic quarter zip T-shirt, OMM Kamleika waterproof jacket, Buff cap. Carried and wore from 30+ miles in: Rab Ether-X jacket (Pertex and PrimaLoft) as a mid layer, Kiprun waterproof trousers and Salomon waterproof over-mitts (no liners); carried but didn’t use long running tights and long sleeved running top, warm hat, buff, gloves – it was good to know I had these options with me had I needed them.
I had Steve and Penny meeting me at various points from 20+ miles onwards – I packed in to their car far too much food, drink and clothing! The main thing I had from them was a cup of tea each time I saw them!
Put some grippy tape (such as Elastoplast) on to fruit puree pouch lids to enable opening when wet! Otherwise these continue to work well for me instead of gels etc
When I know my watch battery won't last the whole run, plug the charger in when its daylight and there's some shelter - trees, bus shelter, checkpoint etc. I waited until I got a low battery warning, at which point it was pitch black, mid-storm on the cliff tops after Scarborough. Everything was too wet and it wouldn't recognise the power bank being plugged in, so the last 5 miles or so weren't recorded. I knew it only needed a short boost to the power, so I could have easily sorted it earlier in the day.