Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Malvern Midsummer Marathon- Event Report
This was a lovely event, but has to be one of the toughest 26 mile events I've done yet! The Malvern Hills rise up out of the middle of a vast flat plain, straddling Worcestershire and Herefordshire. They are an amazing sight- no foothills or anything, just a long ridge of high hills with views for miles around. I've wanted to walk in them ever since I saw them in the distance on my way to Wales. So today was my chance to walk the Malverns- well, when I say the Malverns, I mean literally all of them. This event takes you along the whole ridge! But the really cunning part is that you get to do most of the climbing from about 19 miles onwards, when you are already nice and knackered...
It was pouring when I left home for the 95 mile drive to The Wyche School in Malvern where the event starts. I was a bit dismayed as it would have been horrendous had it rained all day, but by the time I reached the M5 it started to clear up and when I parked the car and walked to the school I could see promising blue sky.
I queued for a cuppa (which took a while as I think there were problems with the urn) and as I was waiting outside to start Ross came over and we walked the event together, which was great. It makes a lovely change when you have someone to walk with and Ross was great company.
As we made the first ascent to Worcestershire Beacon it started to get quite warm, and when we reached the summit we could see walkers already on the summit of the next hill, North Hill (which appears to be the northernmost Malvern).
Looking Back Towards Malvern
Summit Of Worcestershire Beacon
On The Way To North Hill
There was a short steep pull onto North Hill and a control point- some poor soul standing in the teeth of a gale, checking everyone through. Thoughout the day the marshalls were brilliant; really encouraging and friendly.
We descended quite steeply, then left the Malverns to walk across farm land and meadow to reach the first proper checkpoint at Cradley. There appeared to be a village fete going off that day, as there were lots of stalls, bunting etc and I'm pretty sure it wasn't just in our honour!
After cake and squash we left, shortly meeting a lady runner coming the other way, asking us where the checkpoint is as she had got lost. The route description was fairly vague in places, and it was quite easy to go wrong- especially if you are talking and not really concentrating!
After walking through more fields with crops, and passing a lovely old ruined house that could be made amazing, we had a steep pull up to the trig point on Oyster Hill. It was really warm by now, and me and Ross admired the view from a seat at the top- it was fantastic, we could see for miles!
Lovely, But Derelict, House
Oyster Hill
The next part of the route dropped down to enter West Frith Wood. I felt a sudden sharp pain in my left hand, and looked down to see what looked like a horse fly attached to the skin between my thumb and finger. I flicked it off, and was ok for the rest of the day, but Sunday my whole hand swelled up like a balloon!
As we walked along the long track through the woods to the pretty town of Ledbury and the half way checkpoint, I felt a little light headed and put it down to dehydration. Luckily the check point served proper food- quiche, cold pizza and crisps- heaven! I had a coffee and forced myself to drink 3 1/2 large mugs of squash. It seemed to do the trick, as I felt fine for the rest of the day. Other people were coming into the checkpoint- a couple with two dogs, who had started late (and who overtook us later) and a group of people which included a mother and daughter (mum looked really tired!)
Ledbury Church
Ledbury
We left the checkpoint and walked through Ledbury- I felt horribly out of place amongst the day trippers and tourists as none of them were red faced and sweaty!
We got a bit lost on the next section- or rather I did! The route description was a bit vague (well, that's my excuse!) Luckily we managed to retrace our steps and find the right path. The next part of the route went through private lands on a permissive path, passing through fields. There was another marshall making sure everyone went the right way- it was still scorching hot, he must have been out there for hours.
We walked through what appeared to be parkland at Chase End, passing a lake and what looked like a stately home to reach the 19 mile checkpoint.
Chase End
There were some lovely cakes at this checkpoint- the shortbread was to die for- and we rather reluctantly left to face the toughest part of the day- climbing the rest of the Malverns! The views were outstanding, but unfortunately most of the hills were not in a continuous ridge- so they could only be negotiated by climbing very steeply, dropping right down to the road and facing another steep climb to the next one.
The first climb, to Chase End Hill, wasn't too bad, then it went uphill from there!
Me On The Summit Of Chase Hill
The next climb, up Ragged Stone Hill, was truly tortuous. Ross didn't feel well at this point and thought he may have to stop at the next checkpoint, but luckily he soon felt much better and decided to carry on. It was certainly tough, climbing in the heat after already covering over 20 miles- it's amazing what the human body can put up with!
Ragged Stone Hill
We had to drop right down to the road and climb Midsummer Hill- another steep climb!
View From Midsummer Hill
After the summit we had to leave the hill on a path which plunged steeply down through trees- I mean steep! I had to stumble and pick my way down. Unfortunately, of course, it meant losing all our height and dropping down to the road before the killer climb to Swinyard Hill.
Quarry At Swinyard Hill
There were people swimming in the quarry pool- we could hear their whoops and yells of delight and were really tempted to join them! This was the toughest climb of the lot and seemed to go on for miles...
Views From Swinyard Hell, Sorry, Hill
Luckily it was a bit easier from here onwards- there wasn't so much descending between summits so we didn't lose too much height. We had to climb Millenium Hill and the British Camp, which had an oddly shelved appearance and was obviously an ancient hill fort. We marvelled at the efforts of those early people, who managed to dig such impressive earth works with what must have been very basic tools.
The last checkpoint was near the road following the descent from British Camp, and we stocked up on more cake and squash.
British Camp
After the brief respite of the checkpoint, it was time to climb back onto the ridge and over Black Hill, Jubilee Hill, Pinnacle Hill and Perseverence Hill, or as we christened it 'Not Another F******* Hill!'
Finally we topped the final summit and started the descent down into Malvern and the school to a very welcome jacket potato with cheese and beans- it tasted better than any 5 star meal! In all it took 11 hours 7 minutes which shows how tough it was, and there were still a fair few folks to come in after we finished. I'd recommend this one though as despite being tough it was a great day out with spectacular scenery.
It was pouring when I left home for the 95 mile drive to The Wyche School in Malvern where the event starts. I was a bit dismayed as it would have been horrendous had it rained all day, but by the time I reached the M5 it started to clear up and when I parked the car and walked to the school I could see promising blue sky.
I queued for a cuppa (which took a while as I think there were problems with the urn) and as I was waiting outside to start Ross came over and we walked the event together, which was great. It makes a lovely change when you have someone to walk with and Ross was great company.
As we made the first ascent to Worcestershire Beacon it started to get quite warm, and when we reached the summit we could see walkers already on the summit of the next hill, North Hill (which appears to be the northernmost Malvern).
There was a short steep pull onto North Hill and a control point- some poor soul standing in the teeth of a gale, checking everyone through. Thoughout the day the marshalls were brilliant; really encouraging and friendly.
We descended quite steeply, then left the Malverns to walk across farm land and meadow to reach the first proper checkpoint at Cradley. There appeared to be a village fete going off that day, as there were lots of stalls, bunting etc and I'm pretty sure it wasn't just in our honour!
After cake and squash we left, shortly meeting a lady runner coming the other way, asking us where the checkpoint is as she had got lost. The route description was fairly vague in places, and it was quite easy to go wrong- especially if you are talking and not really concentrating!
After walking through more fields with crops, and passing a lovely old ruined house that could be made amazing, we had a steep pull up to the trig point on Oyster Hill. It was really warm by now, and me and Ross admired the view from a seat at the top- it was fantastic, we could see for miles!
The next part of the route dropped down to enter West Frith Wood. I felt a sudden sharp pain in my left hand, and looked down to see what looked like a horse fly attached to the skin between my thumb and finger. I flicked it off, and was ok for the rest of the day, but Sunday my whole hand swelled up like a balloon!
As we walked along the long track through the woods to the pretty town of Ledbury and the half way checkpoint, I felt a little light headed and put it down to dehydration. Luckily the check point served proper food- quiche, cold pizza and crisps- heaven! I had a coffee and forced myself to drink 3 1/2 large mugs of squash. It seemed to do the trick, as I felt fine for the rest of the day. Other people were coming into the checkpoint- a couple with two dogs, who had started late (and who overtook us later) and a group of people which included a mother and daughter (mum looked really tired!)
We left the checkpoint and walked through Ledbury- I felt horribly out of place amongst the day trippers and tourists as none of them were red faced and sweaty!
We got a bit lost on the next section- or rather I did! The route description was a bit vague (well, that's my excuse!) Luckily we managed to retrace our steps and find the right path. The next part of the route went through private lands on a permissive path, passing through fields. There was another marshall making sure everyone went the right way- it was still scorching hot, he must have been out there for hours.
We walked through what appeared to be parkland at Chase End, passing a lake and what looked like a stately home to reach the 19 mile checkpoint.
There were some lovely cakes at this checkpoint- the shortbread was to die for- and we rather reluctantly left to face the toughest part of the day- climbing the rest of the Malverns! The views were outstanding, but unfortunately most of the hills were not in a continuous ridge- so they could only be negotiated by climbing very steeply, dropping right down to the road and facing another steep climb to the next one.
The first climb, to Chase End Hill, wasn't too bad, then it went uphill from there!
The next climb, up Ragged Stone Hill, was truly tortuous. Ross didn't feel well at this point and thought he may have to stop at the next checkpoint, but luckily he soon felt much better and decided to carry on. It was certainly tough, climbing in the heat after already covering over 20 miles- it's amazing what the human body can put up with!
We had to drop right down to the road and climb Midsummer Hill- another steep climb!
After the summit we had to leave the hill on a path which plunged steeply down through trees- I mean steep! I had to stumble and pick my way down. Unfortunately, of course, it meant losing all our height and dropping down to the road before the killer climb to Swinyard Hill.
There were people swimming in the quarry pool- we could hear their whoops and yells of delight and were really tempted to join them! This was the toughest climb of the lot and seemed to go on for miles...
Luckily it was a bit easier from here onwards- there wasn't so much descending between summits so we didn't lose too much height. We had to climb Millenium Hill and the British Camp, which had an oddly shelved appearance and was obviously an ancient hill fort. We marvelled at the efforts of those early people, who managed to dig such impressive earth works with what must have been very basic tools.
The last checkpoint was near the road following the descent from British Camp, and we stocked up on more cake and squash.
After the brief respite of the checkpoint, it was time to climb back onto the ridge and over Black Hill, Jubilee Hill, Pinnacle Hill and Perseverence Hill, or as we christened it 'Not Another F******* Hill!'
Finally we topped the final summit and started the descent down into Malvern and the school to a very welcome jacket potato with cheese and beans- it tasted better than any 5 star meal! In all it took 11 hours 7 minutes which shows how tough it was, and there were still a fair few folks to come in after we finished. I'd recommend this one though as despite being tough it was a great day out with spectacular scenery.
Labels: Malvern Hills, Malvern Midsummer Marathon
Comments:
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Hi Steph,
Great report, as always, must get round to writing mine.
Thanks for the company, and being patient during my struggles with the ascents.
It's a great event, but oh so tough.
Catch you later
Great report, as always, must get round to writing mine.
Thanks for the company, and being patient during my struggles with the ascents.
It's a great event, but oh so tough.
Catch you later
Hi Ross, no probs it was certainly a tough one! Don't think the heat helped any either.
Thanks for your company too, really enjoyed the day.
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Thanks for your company too, really enjoyed the day.
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