Last month, well respected and accomplished ultra distance runner Ian Harding asked me to join a team of runners from Northern Rock to take part in this year's Chevy Chase up at Wooler on July 4th.
As the Wooler Running Club website explains "The Chevy Chase is a 20-mile journey through some of the finest upland scenery in Northumberland giving both walkers and runners the opportunity to channel their energies into a rewarding and demanding personal challenge. You will need to be fit and sure footed, determined, and prepared for all weathers. Your route will take you deep into the heart of the “land of the far horizon”; you will summit both Cheviot 2676 feet / 815m and Hedgehope 2348 feet / 714m. You will have the unrestrained freedom of the hills, the route is unmarked and you may choose your own path as long as the manned checkpoints are visited in the correct order. Only a short section is on road; the rest of your route follows tracks, footpaths, sheep paths and crosses rough fell. Although taking place in mid summer the sun is never certain to shine and low cloud is a distinct possibility therefore you must be able to navigate by map and compass.".
I didn't hesitate in applying for this prestigious race and I'm delighted to be one of the 300 accepted entrants. Preparation for this run will include a lot of hill work in the North Pennines. This will be ideal for improving the strength and stamina needed to tackle not only the Chevy Chase but also for the longer runs I'll be doing from the Spring time.
Further info on this run can be found at Wooler Running Club's website.
