Run Report: Summer Solstice 21/06/2012

Summer Solstice – Striders Un-henged

No sign of the sun yet

Not to be confused with an event, which took place at the same time, at some obscure stones on Salisbury Plain.

At 4:43 am on June 21^st (as near to sunrise as we could ascertain from the prevailing cloud formations), four brave Striders (Grant, Perry, Jason and the Arch-Druid Escolmix) set out to run a four mile circuit from Eddisbury Iron-Age hill-fort.

Before you get excited the fort doesn't actually look like that now.

The number of Striders present was disappointing, but let’s face it, not everyone is mad enough to haul themselves out of bed at that time of morning in the rain.  However, since the doctors were on strike, there was no-one available to declare us clinically insane.

The Chairman attempted to get into the spirit of things.

Accompanied by several threats involving human sacrifice, the first mile took us westwards along a minor road and footpath just below the ridge of the hill, before joining the Sandstone Trail just south of Delamere Forest.  Mile two followed the trail downhill to the forest, before turning onto the road past the Visitor Centre. 

Guess who was in charge of navigation?

Our third mile took us to Delamere Station before turning towards Delamere village.  The final stage was along Station Road, before turning for a final sprint (ehem) walk up Eddisbury Hill back to our cars.

More Stanning-grade route planning

Following several very strong coffees and pancakes back at Grant’s house, it was unanimously agreed that a good time was had by all, and it was a must for next year’s calendar – NOT.

Grant PIerre-White getting busy with the pancake mix

Grant

(Actually the run is going to take place again next year! The date is Friday 21st June - put it in your race diary now so you don't forget :-) Michael)