Another autumnal race series offering 5K, 10K, half marathon, full marathon or Ultra distances. Staged on the beautiful narrow Huddersfield canal which quite interesting as it has quite a lot of locks making the canal surorisingly uphill for the first two thirds of the course! The weather Gods were kind today and produced perfect conditions, however, conditions under foot were not so favourable and the double out and back became a puddle dodging mudfest the more laps were completed by runners at all distances. Four Eccleshill Road Runners ticked off the half marathon in their racing diaries, heading out for the magnificent scenery of Kirklees. The lovely village of Slathwaite provided the perfect setting for the out and back along the canal. The lovely mill town captures the North in every sense, friendly folk, beautiful hillsides and plenty of tea shops, what more could anyone ask for. “Slaithwaite (pronounced ‘slawit’ or ‘slathwaite’ by locals) is a true “Yorkshire grit” mill town straddled by the viaduct and bisected by the canal. Slaithwaite retains its essential character, despite being used as the setting for the television series, “Where the Heart is” and for some of “Last of the Summer Wine”. A lovely church, the fine 17th Century Dartmouth Estate Manor House and other buildings dating from the 18th Century combine with large central mills to give quality to this industrial village which is steeped in history was once home to Luddites”. Our intrepid band of blue and whites made short work of the task in hand, posting some very respectable times and mopping up one of the bespoke medals designed for “It’s grim up north running” updated with a Northern Jumble ribbon, also chocolate and beer and the famous Grim up North cake. First home for the ERR’s was Julie Steele in 2:04:44 followed by Martin Steele 2:19:53, Tricia and Debra Grant 2:48:25 Brilliant running team well done & big thanks to Neil for his support and photography!
