This route must
be one of the most complicated to describe yet in reality there is only
one area where you can get it badly wrong
and this occurs at about two thirds distance. The
start/registration/finish area is at The Fox and Hounds Public House in Ainthorpe Village. The pub. itself is situated at the top of the village
at 704077. This is an inn which has always actively sponsored and
supported the event. The route sets off along the road before going across
Ainthorpe Rigg. Climb out of the ravine and head in a NW direction at approximately the level of 350 metre contour line passing about 100metres to the NE of the two springs at 686025 and 684027. Follow a definite footpath to a point where you are directly west of Honey Bee Nest. At this point you head NE towards St. Helena to the top of a stream gulley at 684034. In 2003 descend the stream gulley to St. Helena then follow the tarmac road. (The 2000/2
route did not descend the gulley to St Helena. Instead
it followed a taped track
to the left which eventually descended back down to the tarmac road after
approx 700 metres but it is too overgrown to use this
year). You now follow this general line until you are directly opposite West Cliff Farm at 687051. Carry on contouring through the bracken, in a northerly direction to Crag House Farm. (The 2000/2 route ascended gently towards the Castleton Rigg road from a point opposite Plum Tree Farm at 687054. Here there is a path junction as it crosses a stream, where you continued to ascend to the road. You reached the road side where there was a marker stone indicating Stormy Hall is one mile. This route was used because certain runners were short cutting the corner and crossing the fields and jeopardizing the future of the race. The route then followed the road verge in a NW direction. The road itself is out of bounds! At 684059 (old CP3) you met a path which descended in a small gulley towards Crag House Farm. This route was approx 200m longer with approx. 120ft more climb).
For 2003 there will be a new checkpoint [CP3] at the gate
to Crag House Farm. Go through the
farm and continue to
follow this road across the valley in an NNE direction. Keep heading
east past the end of Toft’s Lane. You will pass the Church and the
cemetery . You need the footpath that proceeds towards the moor to the
east of the stone wall going through between Plum Tree House and North End
Farm ( 703064). Once on this path follow the wall edge in a north easterly
direction. This will cause you to ascend back onto the top of Ainthorpe
Rigg meeting the path on which you started some 200 metres before the road
that returns to The Fox and Hounds Pub. After the race
you can tuck into Bob Lillie's famous Pie & Peas..... |