A SHORT CIRCUIT – SATURDAY 2ND NOVEMBER 2019

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A Short Circuit is a 34 mile ultra race, three Eccleshill Road Runners took on the ultra distance on what turned out to be yet another rainy Saturday. Part of the Punk Panther Series the race starts at Station Top – at the top of East Chevin, Otley, the route then goes straight up the steps to Surprise View at the top of the Chevin and then heads over to Bramhope and Cookridge. Next, around the runway of Leeds Bradford Airport (outside the fence!). On to the picturesque Yeadon Tarn, through Guiseley Woods up to Hawksworth, then Menston up onto the moors towards Ilkley and the famous tourist attraction, the Cow and Calf Rocks, descending through Ben Rhydding and up to Timble, views of the Washburn Valley and then across to Norwood along the beautiful Lindley Wood Reservoir through Leathley to the finish at Pool-in-Wharfedale. The race consists of five checkpoints (see below) each one providing water, coke, jelly babies, peanuts, Jaffa cakes, marshmallows and flapjacks, with checkpoints CP5 onwards also having pork pies and cheese as well as hot drinks. Maybe we have just hit upon the reason our lads chose this race!

Checkpoint 1: Cookridge 9km (5.5 miles): Open 9.15am to 10.00am

Checkpoint 2: New Scarborough 19km (1.5 miles): Open 9.45am to 11.45am

Checkpoint 3: Menston 26km (16 miles) : Open 10.30am to 1pm

Checkpoint 4: Denton 35km (22 miles): Open 11.15am to 3pm

Checkpoint 5: Norwood 45km (28 miles): Open 12noon to 5pm

Finish: Pool-in-Wharfedale Methodist Church, Main Street, Pool-in-Wharfedale, where runners can take advantage of a free bus back to the start point.

The three Musketeers were Russell Naylor, Christopher Stanhope and (in his own words) wingman Gareth Harland.