Swaledale Road Runners

SHE DID IT! Ros Blackmore completed her Swale Way Challenge, running 3 marathons in 3 days along the entire length of the River Swale (80 miles in total). Now that she has returned from a well-deserved holiday you can read all about her amazing achievement.

Day 1

My Swale Way Challenge started in a deserted Kirkby Stephen town square on a Saturday morning. John Hunter was my first supporting runner and would stay with me until Keld, a distance of 14 miles. After photos in front of the cloisters, Neil Bowmer (my partner and in this instance the support vehicle driver) jogged down to Frank's Bridge with us to see us on our way. A lovely footpath led to Hartley, then it was steadily uphill to the summit of Nine Standards Rigg, the watershed for the River Swale. A decision was made to walk the steeper sections to preserve energy, but the summit, with its remarkable row of huge cairns, was attained surprisingly quickly. The sky was black, rain was threatening but amazingly didn't fall on us, but the wind was pretty wild on top so we didn't linger. The descent was boggy and in places indistinct, but we were soon on the flat and could see Neil waving to us at the roadside. A short jog along the road to the van brought us to a cup of tea, a snack and a short but welcome rest out of the wind.

The next section started with 3 miles of road running, but there was little traffic and the wild moorland scenery was compensation. There were plenty of undulations but we stuck to our pledge to walk the uphill stretches. John was keeping me so entertained with his stories that I ran straight past our turn-off onto a footpath! It was only when we turned back for 100m that we realised quite how strong the wind was and how pleased we were to be running eastwards. We dropped down into the delightful Birkdale, suddenly surrounded by lush green pastures instead of fellside. We made a short detour along a walled green lane to the source of the Swale, at the confluence of great Sleddale Beck and Birkdale Beck, where we paused for photos. The area was alive with the traditional birds of the dales: lapwings, curlews, redshank, oyster catchers and martins swooping over the river. All too soon though, we met the road at High Bridge and had a short run on it before turning off at Low Bridge. A steep track led up to the top of Cotterby Scar and it was pleasant running all the way along to meet the Pennine Way at Kisdon Force, just short of Keld. We could see Neil and the van across the river, but getting there entailed a short but slippery uphill struggle just when we were getting tired. Soup and bread revitalised me and so did the arrival of the next support crew: Gill McLean, Marian Hunter, Mary Carnegie-Brown, Stuart Clarkson and Andrew Barningham. I was sad to say goodbye to John here though, after such a fantastic morning's run.

The next two sections would take us to Reeth in just over 12 miles. Retracing our footsteps back across the Swale, a steady uphill section meant a little bit more walking. I was surprised at how selfless the team were in supporting me with this! After crossing Swinner Gill it was glorious running on a wide track beside the river all the way to Ramps Holme Bridge. Passing this by, we ran across countless pastures, most of which belonged to Stuart's extended family! We met the road at the beautiful Ivelet Bridge and followed a short stretch of road up to Ivelet village. More pastureland and many squeeze stiles later, we arrived at Gunnerside in the sunshine, where Neil was again waiting with tea and cakes. Gill was due to leave us here and meet her family, but she was enjoying the running so much that she continued to Reeth, making this the longest run she has ever done. Well done Gill!

Dropping back down to the river from Gunnerside, more typical Swaledale pastureland was crossed. As the river and the road converged, there was no room left for a footpath so two short sections of road had to be endured, taking care with the weekend traffic. After Isles Bridge the footpath interestingly ran along the top of a 6ft wall, making for tenuous running! The riverside footpath then meandered through the woods, with blue bells and wild garlic abounding. Gill was assigned the task of finding me a Dipper on the river, which nearly caused multiple pile-ups each time she stopped to point out a bird! A mile of road running was brightened by the discovery that we were passing Stuart's house, but we resisted the temptation to stop for a cup of tea. We crossed Barney Beck and after another mile or so of riverside running the path cut up into Reeth, where Gill's family and Neil were waiting patiently on the green for us. A celebratory trip to the Copper Kettle for tea and cakes was a really welcome and pleasant end to the first day's marathon.

Day 2

Reeth Green saw the start of Day 2. After a restful night I felt in good shape to continue my challenge and I had additional motivation in the shape of a new support team: Jackie Keavney, Geoff Kensett, Amy Cassar, Ronnie Cassar and the two lovable Jack Russells, Jasmine and Jack. Once again, the day was overcast, but once again we remained dry, despite the forecast for lots of rain.

The first 7 mile section to Marske led through the fields to High Fremington then picked up a lane to Marrick Abbey, past some farms and uphill towards Marrick. Another lane then dropped us gradually back down to the river at Downholme Bridge. Knee high grass slowed us down in the fields that sloped up to Marske, but didn't seem to dent the energy of Jasmine and Jack! A quick break at the van at Marske, then it was on to Richmond in 5 miles. We crossed a couple of fields down to Paddy's Bridge then climbed uphill to Applegarth scar. For once I didn't need to route find as everyone knew the way down to the river and along the road to Round Howe. Across the river and onto very familiar territory through the woods, before a final burst along the river to The Station. Here we found not only Neil and the van awaiting us, but also John and Marian Hunter and Steve Brown and Julie Tanner, who had come to provide some welcome moral support. Geoff sadly had to leave us here, but Sara Woolley brought some fresh legs to the team, for the second half of the marathon.

From The Station we followed the Coast to Coast path along the railway line, through the woods then over fields to Colburn. The onward route to Catterick Bridge had not been run before by many of the team as it is just too far out to be on the evening running circuit, but provides pleasant field running before going under the A1. A lovely waterside stretch led us to Back Lane and the eventual sighting of the van. By this time I was flagging and in need of a rest and some reviving food. Jasmine too looked like she needed a break, but after a 5 minute sleep and some biscuits she was desperate to be off again. I wish I could have said the same for me! The final leg was a long 8.5 miles and was also the first time we had to leave the river, as public rights of way were not as prolific here as in Swaledale. Sara saved the day with her local knowledge when a mature crop blocked our way through a field. She led us down quiet lanes instead of the dangerous road detour we could see on the map. We couldn't avoid the road through Kiplin however, but soon turned down a lovely farm track, past some derelict cottages and on to Great Langton. My challenge to 'identify something out of place' kept everyone guessing (apart from Amy, who drives this way regularly!) until we turned the corner to see a full size plastic gorilla in a front garden! A brief sojourn into fields at Thrintoft via someone's front garden (oops!), then it was back onto an old track and victoriously into Moreton-on-Swale via a derelict yard! In terms of running full marathon distance, today was a first for Amy, Ronnie, Jack and Jasmine! It also meant that I had completed my 2nd marathon.

Day 3

The third day was started with some trepidation, as I felt tired and my legs were aching somewhat, but thanks to the excellent support from Neil and Stuart Clarkson, was a day to remember. Once again the day was overcast and the wind strong, but thankfully was not head-on for most of the day. We started the day by running down quiet lanes and farm tracks and soon the River Swale was gained, flowing deep and slow between high embankments. We ran through Maunby and then on to Kirby Wiske, meeting Neil in the church car park after 7 miles of running.

The next 7-mile section should have been straightforward but because of the state of the footpaths it became a bit of a trial. I had checked the viability of the route in March, long before the undergrowth and crops had sprung up, but now the field edges were quite exhausting and at one point the way ahead was blocked by a field of head high rape. We had to force our way around the field edge, which was full of nettles and unfortunately Stuart was wearing shorts! The unwelcome sight of a 5-step stile also nearly reduced me to tears, but eventually we made it onto the easier surface of a farm track. At Skipton-on-Swale I needed a sugar burst so we sat on the church steps and ate homemade honey fudge kindly donated by Geoff Kensett's mother! The man lurking on the river's edge near Catton turned out to be Neil who had wandered out from Catton to meet us.

A lovely quiet lane led us from Catton past several free range chicken farms and on to Topcliffe. The onward route was not terribly pleasant, passing an industrial estate and a sewage works, but we were soon running once again through typical English countryside. I was pleased to have an ex-farmer at my side as we negotiated a herd of inquisitive cows. This was a long section of 8.5 miles and my legs at this point were sore. I found that if I stopped then started again my legs were even more painful, so I just kept going with a shuffling gait. Having company at this point was really important. However, a healthy snack of brioche and a mars bar revived me at Brafferton, ready for the final push to the line.

I set off walking gingerly, eventually managing to run by the time we left the village. Luckily it was very pleasant running on a pretty country lane. Neil had driven to Myton-on-Swale, parked the van, then ran at full speed back to meet us so that we could complete the last leg together. We passed the impressive Myton Stud and Hall, ran over Myton Bridge and into the final fields. At last, the meeting of the Rivers Swale and Ure could be seen. I couldn't believe that I was still running, right up to the end. We ran out onto the point known as Swale Nab, for the final celebration. There were photos, a few tears and a great feeling of satisfaction. I had achieved my goal of running 3 marathons in 3 days, a total of 80 miles along the entire length of the River Swale.

A big, big thank you to all of the club members that ran with me; John and Marion Hunter, Andrew Barningham, Stuart Clarkson, Mary Carnegie-Brown, Gill McLean, Jackie Keavney, Geoff Kensett, Amy Cassar, Ronnie Cassar, Sara Woolley and the wonderful marathon running dogs, Jack and Jasmine. Thanks for your company and the laughs we had! A special thanks has to go to Stuart Clarkson for running with me on the Monday as without that support I would never have completed the run in the manner that I did; still running and still smiling!

Thank you also to everyone that sponsored me for this challenge. Between us we have raised about £800 for the Meningitis Research Foundation which means support for a world free from the devastating disease of meningitis.

Ros Blackmore

See galleries for the  photos.