Following the descent, we retraced our steps to the top of Wenlock Edge and through the woods. Although much flatter, it was still treacherous and I spent the entire time having to look at my feet and trying to balance with my poles. We managed to pick up our pace and were averaging about 13 min kilometres. We then reached the point where we had to descend from the Edge. The route was essentially a stream with foot deep mud. We had caught other walkers and as before we were forced to proceed very slowly for danger of falling and sliding into someone else. It was very difficult to find a safe way down and at points I was literally using my poles like ski sticks to slide. Going off the track was no easier due to the undergrowth. This descent took us nearly twenty minutes.
After this, the route was flatter across fields. However, even now the conditions were treacherous as the amount of mud made it very slippery. We were however able to pick up our pace and were averaging about 13-14 minutes per kilometre. At Acton Scott we emerged onto a road for about a mile and were able to drop to increase our speed to 12 minutes per kilometre. In the distance we could see participants ascending Ragleth Hill and to be honest the prospect was quite daunting.
We left the road and started towards the bottom of the hill reaching the fence. At this point I was very hot and felt that I needed to either rest for a while or it crossed my mind to give up. However, Gemma was very encouraging and after a breather we began the ascent – probably the second most difficult part of the course in terms of terrain. I was very slow and held up to an extent by the walkers coming down the shared path. After a struggle (still quicker than Flounder’s Folly due to the dry conditions) we reached the top. Gemma even had the energy to chase someone back down part of the route. We took the obligatory pictures and began our descent. This was uneventful and we continued down until we reached the A49.
Here was another example of poor organisation. This was obviously the most dangerous road crossing on the route. I could understand why no one was trying to stop the traffic but I feel that there should at least have been signs advising or warning drivers about walkers and perhaps a designated crossing point. As an aside, on our return we passed a crossing point where there were clear warning signs and a significant number of marshalls on a quieter road.
We managed to cross ok and walked into Little Stretton. Here there was a marshall on the road and he advised us that the checkpoint (and food station) ahead was closing and we may have to retire. This was a complete shock and we continued to the checkpoint. Here we were told that the checkpoint opening had been extended by half an hour and we were 10 minutes too late. We would therefore have to retire. We were speechless with shock and disappointment as they removed our tags to “retire” us from the official event. We were then told that we could proceed outside of the event!
We chose to get a taxi back to the centre and I would like to thank the organisers for arranging this cover.
Reasons why Retirement was unfair.
I accept the point that the event needs to have a safety policy and had I been aware how close we were to the time-limit we might have tried to go a bit quicker. So it was my fault that we faced enforced retirement.
I do however have some questions for the organisers.
- Given that the time limit at this checkpoint was extended by 30 minutes “due to conditions” does this mean that the overall limit was also extended by a proportionate amount? If so, was this notified to checkpoint volunteers?
- Even with the considerable delays that we had experienced our pace to the checkpoint was 17.2 mins per kilometre. At this pace we would have been within 5 minutes of the original 12 hour time limit (which may have been extended). Given that the conditions on top of the Long Mynd would have been more like Ragleth (i.e dry) we could easily have increased our pace. If that had not been possible and we were late at a subsequent checkpoint then we could have been “retired” at that point rather than earlier when successful completion was clearly possible.
- The guide was very clear that the reason for retirement would be “
These times have been calculated to accommodate all competitors who are on schedule to finish the event within the allotted time, with some contingency built in. After this time, the checkpoint will close. There can be no exceptions to this rule as it is there for your own safety.“
- This was clearly not the case and another example of poor organisation. We were told that we would be able to continue if we wanted and indeed another group of 4 in front of us were allowed to proceed, outside of the event. This was clearly at odds with the “enforced” for our own safety – how was it considered that it was safe to let participants proceed?
So overall, I was very disappointed by the quality of the event organisation. There were aspects that were very poor and inconsistent and to be honest unsafe. I accept that I had not considered the cut-off times but we were only delayed by exceptionally poor conditions and organisation that meant that lots of people were slowed by being bunched together at choke points.
You may wish to comment if you agree or disagree with me. Interestingly I have not been asked to provide any feedback on the event.
Thinking of giving up plodding,
AJMB