Thank you everyone, and I mean everyone; walkers runners, families, the villagers at Pooley, the Hall committee, Sun Inn, Parish Council and Ullswater Association. You all contributed to a great fun event in some fine Spring weather.
A new event is always a strange and exciting project and in the aftermath of Storm Desmond a bit of a gamble but everyone was buzzing about the route and the nature of our 'walkers and runners' event, especially the family ticket which allows children to run / walk with their parents.
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| Tom briefs the 'Mass' Start; many had chosen to set off earlier |
With an original 50/50 split between the 'walkers and slower runners' start window (9-10:30) and the mass 'race'start at 11:00 there was something for everyone regardless of speed or ambition.
Spot The Daffs?
The original idea was simply a 'Run From Pooley' to support the community and businesses in wake of Storm Desmond and the destruction of the 251 year old Pooley Bridge. The Ullswater Association were eager to support the 'run' as part of their Daffodil Festival, annual event in the Ullswater valley. Hence, the Daffodil Run and Walk was planted and bloomed into a great fun day out for all.
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| Ironically, Pooley New-Bridge opened the very next day |
The route is simple: an out-and-back route from Pooley to Hallin Fell and back, which is a total distance of about twelve miles. It is a mixture of good wide trails, easy to follow paths and the short steep ascent onto Hallin Fell, to the magnificent view point over the whole of the lake, Helvellyn and the Ullswater valley.
The 'Daffy-Run' is very easy to follow and adequately signed, and it is also possible to turn around any one of three or four of our staffed safety checkpoints for those who don't want to do the full distance. Our highly experienced (and entertaining!) NAV4 Adventure event staff had a great day and took some great photos out on the route.
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| Thank you to Pyro for the photo - more on the NAV4 Adventure facebook page |
Did Someone Say Cake!
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| Free 'brews' and cake to everyone ...then beer and food in Pooley! |
Back at base I just about managed to keep on top of the finish and results admin, and serve up tea, coffee and copious amounts of infamous cake to the rapidly returning finishers who caught me slightly unprepared. Some very impressive times were recorded .... but overall people seemed more intent on fun and cake then race splits and prizes.
Bigger Growth in Spring 2017
We like to start our events small and nurture them into something special, and never forget that fun for everyone and sustainability is very important. After such a great day, and listening to the very encouraging feedback from all sides I'm pleased to announce that The Daffodil Run and Walk, will be back next year on Saturday 18th March 2017. Details and entries to follow soon.
Ok, we (I ) will be a little more organised ....but the cakes will be even better!
Thank You,
Joe
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