Running Orienteering and Camping (ROC) 2018 Mountain Marathon
On the weekend of 29/30 September 2018, small band of enthusiastic SO runners travelled to the Lake District to compete in the Running Orienteering and Camping (ROC) 2018 Mountain Marathon.
This involves running with a rucksack containing all you need for two days and one night out in the wild.
This year the event was all over the Northern Fells, an area which includes very well known landmarks such as Blencathra, Skiddaw and Knott, as well as Caldbeck, Carrock and Bowscale Fells. The weather was great on Day 1: dry, cool and overcast with sunny intervals, but blustery up high. At the overnight camping center, the temperature fell enough to test the performance of high-tech lightweight sleeping-bags (I needed my thermal top stuffing-in to keep toes from freezing) and before light it started raining. By the time Day 2 started the wind had strengthened and strong gusts made progress tough with wind chill reliably reported to be minus 5 degrees C.
The Map was excellent, and great courses planned by Graham Gristwood ensured exposure to all types of terrain; heather-covered hillside being a specialty. At the end of Day 2 we had all had a demanding and very enjoyable run-out and I think it fair to say were pleased with our solo running results:
Elite course - Darrell High 4th overall
Linear course C - Nick Care 7th overall (1st Male Super-Vet)
Short Score - Barry Jones 16th
Long Score - Barry McElearney 20th