Just one Strider ventured west to take part in the Gritstone Grind, a point to point race consisting of 35 horizontal miles (plus another one vertically) along, as the name suggests, the Gritstone Trail long distance footpath which runs from Kidsgrove in the Potteries to Disley near Stockport.
Heavy rain over the previously couple of days made for quagmire like underfoot conditions for the 96 souls that toed the start line. However, that didn’t detract too much from the spectacular views of the Cheshire plains to the west and the Peak District to the east from the various high points, which included Mow Cop, Teggs Nose and White Nancy.
I resisted the crazy pace of the early leading group, who set off from the start in a manner that made me think they’d mistakenly thought they were at the Wilne 10k. Instead opting for a steady and even pace; well as even as possible given the terrain and conditions. This paid dividends in the second half of the race as a number of the crazy gang inevitably started to fade. In the end I was quite happy with the result.
Andy
Andy Came home 3rd in a time of 5hours 36minutes and first in category just 13 minutes behind the first place. That has to be a quite fantastic result. Well done Andy.