Cumberland Fell Runners

I wish I were on my back, instead of just starting out. I’ve waited a year to run in this race and now I’m having a doubt. I’m a fair weather runner at heart and the weather forecast is grim; there’s a big black cloud on top of yon fell, and the rain is about to begin.

It’s a long hard pull to the top of Black doom and I’m being left behind. But I’ve got good company to share it with on this long and painful grind.

First to pass me is Mike Litt, his little legs going lickety spit, he’s charging on his way.

Then next on my shoulder comes Dave Morgan, at this game he’s an ace, and he swears by a whiff of gas and air before every race.

Then next to come past is Lindsay, with her fantastic smile she says, I’ve just been for a warm up, I says how far, she says 20 miles.

Then Steve Watson catches me up, tells me he’s V6O. Have you seen him run, man alive I had him down for V45.

The rest of the runners went past in a blur, and I trotted on alone, then as I climbed I met Janet, she was shouting and urging me on, she says she doesn’t race now, she only does it for fun.

On and on I climbed till I saw the marshal on top, and ran to stick my dibber into his little box. Technology is a marvellous thing, its come on in bounds and great leaps, but I couldn’t take my dibber out until it gave me a beep.

Its that way lad he said pointing, with his thumb over the back of his head, I offered him my thanks and set of in the direction be said. Then soon I was descending and the black cloud had started to drift, this cheered me up no end and gave my spirits a lift.

Out and down and round I went. Surely nothing now could go amiss, as I charged down the fell side into a bottomless abyss, and when I reached the river l couldn’t believe my eyes, for there was Janet standing on the other side. She was shouting and urging me on, she says she doesn’t race now she only does it for fun.

I started to climb back up again, this was real hands on knees and quietly started to mutter, please Lord, please. I climbed till I reached the last checkpoint, my legs were in decline, I stuck my dibber in the marshal’s box and registered my time.

It’s that way lad he said pointing, with his thumb over the back of his head. I was too knackered to say owt and staggered off in the direction he said.

Then off, once more descending down a long and home bound track. I’d had enough by this time and just wanted to get back, and soon not too far distant I could see the finishing gate, and the sun shone down warmly, it was trance like. I was in a daze.

Then out of the haze I heard shouting, someone urging me on. O God I don’t believe it. It’s that lady who does this for fun.

“Well done Mike you’ve had a good run”

45 blue and whites ran that day, each one running with pride.

Black Doom is a race that’s not an easy ride.

Our first three home Brian Thompson, Brian Taylor, Jerry Dawson flew the CFR flag that’s true.

But to one and all who ran that race I raise my gIass to you.

Will I return next year, who knows? But if I do, and if you will excuse the pun, I won’t race, I’ll only do it for fun.

Your running junkie
MS