Beating my nemesis – the Yorkshireman Off Road Marathon
by Ian Trencher
This September I returned to face and finally defeat my nemesis -the Yorkshireman Off Road Marathon. This is the fantastic sister event of the longer and more famous Haworth Hobble Winter Ultra which I have otherwise completed four times, including the 2023 Snow edition when I was famously captured on camera waist deep in snow.
Both my previous attempts had unfortunately ended prematurely and unceremoniously at checkpoint 3 which is around 19 miles and I am subsequently well acquainted with the lovely Yorkshireman sweeper team. Back in 2023 I tweaked a recently sprained ankle and slowed in heat leading to my timing out early, albeit I still got to surprise fellow Harriers Nikki and Pete by waiting ahead of them at the finish casually dining on my finish line pizza and coke. I returned the following year in 2024 and opted for an early start to ensure a finish but unfortunately took a few wrong turns with my trusty FRA map and compass and went off course on the Yorkshire Moors for more than an hour before timing out again and at least walking back to the finish under my own steam.
And so back to the YORM I returned, determined to finish no matter what. Given my past experience my preparation included not just banking 20 of our local Beacon Bash miles a few weeks before, but also carefully studying the route on my course map and watching You Tube videos to learn the course.
On arrival it was cool and rainy so I sensibly changed my kit for the grippier La Sportiva Mutants and a base layer, although I lived to regret that as I got toasty later on.
Choosing the early start option I set off with fellow amber and black Elizabeth Hughes as well as our friend Joe Davies from Billinge. We ran the first section as a team up to checkpoint one and ensured we stayed on track after which faster runners had overtaken us and so the others went ahead and I focused on my own race. I made sure I stayed on track using course marking, my memory and my map on a few occasions too. Got some great pictures along the way and was thankful to beat the psychological checkpoint 3 barrier at last, which I celebrated by getting sprayed with cooling water and enjoying an on course complimentary ice lolly. After which I enjoyed a fresh part of the course and ensured I got to the finish at last, although I was not running up the final cobbles climb to the finish. Reaching the end I was thankful to finally earn my finish line Pepperoni pizza and even invested in a branded long sleeved running top to celebrate my eventual triumph.
The Yorkshireman is a great event I can recommend to other Harriers and my experience is proof that if at first you don’t succeed, then go back and you just might be third time lucky!!! The price is a bargain when one considers the price includes a walking buffet and pizza at the finish. The route is very picturesque but not too hilly and technical with most of the vert in the first 3 miles on fresh legs and the early start option improves accessibility for all, although speaking from experience you do need some navigation skills as well. Other harriers Andy, Su and Vicky also enjoyed the half marathon version and I plan to enter that in 2027 for a change.
Comments