The Belvoir Challenge - 15 mile route
Waiting for the start of the "Challenge".
Larry and I had motored
to Harby with Mick, where we met Peter and soon
were congregating with almost 1000 other runners
and walkers outside the local school in readiness
for the 9 o’clock start. Fortunately we were at the
front of the start lineup and so were in a good
position when the 15 mile jaunt started. However,
runners quickly passed us and, by the time we
reached the canal towpath to the north of Harby,
they were vanishing into the distance and the
walkers were beginning to spread out.
Walkers starting to spread out as they join the
Canal.
With Peter and Mick in front we were going at a cracking pace but even then I knew that I was unlikely to be able to keep this up when more difficult terrain, namely ascents, were reached. As we walked along the canal I could see to the south east the snow covered Harby Hills, which I thought might cause a few problems, but as the tow path surface was very good I was not expecting the mud that lay ahead.
Leaving the canal we followed the road through the village of Hose and were soon crossing field paths to the “Hills”. By now I was trailing the “Boys” by about 100 yards and the gap was getting bigger. I was strolling along talking to another walker and knowing that I would be happier to walk at my own pace than their speed they were soon vanishing from view.
Easy walking along the dry tow path, but the snow
on the hills looks menacing.
With regard to this it is worth noting the words of
Robert Lewis Stevenson from Walking Tours.
A walking tour should be gone upon alone,
because freedom is the essence; because you should
be able to stop and go on ...and because you must
have your own pace, and neither trot alongside a
champion walker, nor mince in time with a
girl.
So I didn’t need to trot, and the “Boys” were saved
the embarrassment of “mincing”.
Although mud had already been experienced, on
reaching the dismantled railway below “the Hills” I
was amazed at what lay ahead. The whole path was
covered by a thick layer of mud. The only good
thing was it was not heavy, but of a slurping
variety, so when you placed your foot in it rather
than bringing out a boot heavy with mud you were
more likely to have a problem retrieving your foot
from the clinging and sucking slurry. At times the
mud just didn’t seem to want to release your
footwear.
It was such a relief to leave this track, but on
turning right (south east) and starting uphill the
surface got no better but, like the other walkers,
I laboured on tramping through a mixture of mud and
snow until the top of the hill was reached. What a
relief, particularly when, just before the road
between Waltham and Harby, the route became a
tarmac track.
After the road was crossed, the terrain was still
very muddy on tracks to Eastwell. It was on this
track when I stopped to secure my right boot that
it then started to rain so, on reaching Eastwell, I
took advantage of a bus shelter to put on my
waterproof coat – I already had over-trousers on.
The mud continued as we left the hard surface of
the road in Eastwell, but by now I was so muddy I,
like I suppose most walkers, ignored it. It would
be difficult to get much muddier, so everyone
ploughed on, only stopping to queue to cross
various stiles on route.
South of Eaton we
crossed the 26 mile route – was I glad I wasn’t
attempting that. The next main reference point was
the Iron Staircase, located approximately ¼ mile
outside Branston. On reaching it, it was quickly
ascended and 5 minutes later at 11.55 a.m. I walked
into the first check point. According to the route
details this was 7.4 miles from the start and,
although I had hoped to reach it by 11.30 a.m, in
view of the conditions I was very pleased with my
time. However, it should be noted that many walkers
considered this distance to be incorrect. It would
seem that last minute changes to the route were not
reflected in this detail. Having measured this part
of the route on a map and from comments by others
it would seem the distance to Branston was more
like 9 miles. Or was it the mud that made it seem
longer?
Although a number of people had passed me during
the later stages of this first leg of the walk,
when I reached the check point many of them were
still there enjoying the wonderful refreshments
that had been provided and were still enjoying them
when I left after a bite to eat and a quick intake
of liquids. I don’t like to waste too much time at
check points.Climbing up the steep and muddy
embankment.
After reaching the top, more mud was negotiated before reaching the road that went towards Belvoir Castle. Walking became easier and even when we left the road and walked around the north east side of Knipton Reservoir it wasn’t too bad. However, having crossed the sluice at the end of the reservoir the route became muddy again and there was a long, long uphill grind before the route rejoined and crossed the Belvoir Road and entered woodland.
Initially the track we followed was very tricky,
but did get marginally easier in parts as it
progressed through Terrace Hills. I think at this
point I should explain that when I say it got
easier it means that I was less fearful of doing a
slide in the mud and landing on my back. When I
spoke to Larry, Mick and Peter at the end of the
walk, they like me recounted how they had some
narrow escapes.
Along this part of the route I was conscious of the
Belvoir Valley that could be glimpsed through the
trees on my right but, I suppose, like most people
taking part in the challenge most of the day was
spent looking where you put your feet and
“admiring” the various qualities and textures of
the mud.
Out of the woods and at 1.10 p.m. I walked into the
second check point. It had taken 1 hour and 10
minutes since leaving the Branstont, a distance
according to the route info of 4.2 miles. Was it
really that far? I really didn’t think I was
walking that fast.
How can I be so sure about the times? When I take a
photograph, like most digital cameras, the time and
date are recorded. Very useful.
More food and drink was enjoyed at this check point
and, with a piece of fruitcake in my hand, I
continued on my way into Barkestone, Plungar and
Stathern Woods. Now I had thought the conditions
prior to this had been bad but the track we
followed into Barkestone Wood was horrendous. At
the top of a downward slope I had my nearest near
miss of the walk. How I managed to regain balance
having done a sort of 2 foot slide forward, a lean
back, a leanMud. Mud. Lots and lots of Mud.
forward, a slight jig and a stop will be long
remembered and puzzled over. The downward slope of
this part of the walk would have been easier done
on skis, and I don’t ski, so I followed some foot
prints through the trees to the left and reached
the bottom of the slope without further gymnastics.
About a ¼ mile ahead I could see a lone walker and soon one appeared about the same distance behind me. These two helped to spur me on. Could I catch the one in front up before the one behind caught me? During this part of the walk the weather was really good with the sun shining through the trees. I was almost tempted to take my waterproof coat off but in view of what happened 40 minutes later I’m glad I didn’t.
It was a relief to leave the woods behind, but negotiating the next part of the route across a very muddy downward sloping field into Stathern was certainly no picnic. What a relief to hit the hard tarmac of the Stathern Roads. As I neared the Red Lion Pub I contacted Larry on his mobile telephone to check if he had succumbed to alcoholic refreshments and ventured into the pub. Although he had been tempted he had shown admirable resistance and was now fast approaching the end of the walk. We estimated he, Mick and Peter were between 30 and 40 minutes ahead of me.
By now I had caught up with the lone walker who was
in front of me on the track through the woods and
we walked together for a short time. The end was
now nearly in sight when we were hit by a
rainstorm. The rain and the muddy terrain seemed to
slow me down more than him and soon he left me
behind.
About 15 minutes later I walked into the Harby
School and was given a time of 5 hours 37 minutes.
I was very pleased with this. I would have been
happy with such a time in less horrendous (muddy)
conditions.
Throughout the walk various walkers I had spoken to
considered that the distances were not as stated.
The official distance being 15.8 miles, but some
competitors with GPS’s measured it at a fraction
over 17 miles. However, whatever the distance it
was a very muddy walk. And I really enjoyed it. It
was well organized, the food was excellent and way
marking was magnificent. At every twist and turn
there was red and white tape to indicate the way
ahead.
So having enjoyed my soup and pudding (compliments
to the chef) we four bid farewell to Harby and
headed for a pub in Waltham on the Wolds to swap
experiences and enjoy a pint. A pleasant end to a
muddy experience.
Since writing this I
have been informed by Helen and Tony, two of the
walk organizers, that the course was altered as
some of the original route was even muddier!! The
event, however, was a big success and, although it
was anticipated that there would be many
retirements because of the conditions, there were
considerably less than expected.