Date: Saturday 18th May 2019.

The Old County Tops Fell Race is a pairs race, and is described as “an arduous mountain event in which
navigational skills are essential”. It covers 37 miles and involves around 10,000 feet of ascent. The exact distance and amount of ascent are dependant on the route you choose (or how badly lost you get)!
The race starts in Great Langdale and takes in the tops of Helvellyn, Scafell Pike and Coniston before returning to Great Langdale.

This is a proper fell race – not like the ones we do in the Peak District – it is monstrous and beautiful in equal amounts, the ascents were relentless, the descents terrifyingly steep, with falling rocks dislodged by the runners behind a real problem. Even the flat sections between peaks were boggy and difficult to navigate.

Having said that, I feel extremely honoured to have been invited to run it, and extremely proud to have completed it. Running in pairs brings a different dimension to racing, as failure to finish affects your team mate, but it keeps you putting one foot in front of the other. It was my 2nd ultra in 8 days, and I know I wasn’t at my best, and without Nick’s encouragement along the way I’m not sure I’d have finished. My only concern now is that I might be asked to run it again next year.