As many in Saltwell may know, I’ll give most types of running a go, so when the opportunity to enter a race called The Mighty Deerstalker arose, my answer was “Yeah, should be a laugh”. Then I Googled it. “Leg-destroying”, “scree scramble”, “the UK’s toughest off-road run”, were some of the phrases bandied about. Oh […]
Hodgson Brothers Relay 2023
Saltwell Harriers have been competing in the Hodgson Brothers relay since 1988. This mountain relay covering 25 miles of Lake District fells was inaugurated by the Hodgson family in 1986 as a memorial to their son and brother Ian, who was killed in a cycling accident, aged 25 the day after competing in the 1985 […]
Rob’s back on the Spine
Saltwell’s ultra-specialist Rob Brooks returned to the Spine Race this year, after his epic successful completion in 2022. You can read the full story about the highs and lows of Rob’s 2023 adventure along the Pennine Way on his own blog: Spine Race 2023 – The Three Geordigos Here’s a short extract to whet your […]
Mid-life crisis, Schneider style
Six years ago, I accepted a challenge to run a half marathon every month and passed it with flying colours. The training was easy (two stone lighter and six years younger) and I consistently hit sub 2hr half marathons. So, for my impending 50th birthday, I thought I’d do the same throughout 2023. I started […]
Rosie runs the London Marathon!
This April, Saltwell member Rosie not only ran the London Marathon but recorded a video while doing it! Thanks to Rosie you can find what it’s like to be part of one of the biggest and most iconic races in the world. Watch her video below to soak up the sights and sounds of a […]
A glorious Saturday afternoon in Alnwick
I don’t know when it started. Probably at some point on Thursday afternoon. Certainly by Friday morning I had well and truly got my classic pre-race stomach ache. More excitement than nerves but if I had a choice in the matter, I’d happily forego this inevitable ritual. I imagine most people don’t really think about […]
Spine Race Part 7: Yearning for Yetholm
This post is part of a series reliving the highs and lows of Rob Brooks’ epic adventure on the 2022 Winter Spine Race. Bellingham to Kirk Yetholm, 26 miles (arrive 7:30pm, depart 3:30am) I slept terribly in Bellingham, the facilities consisted of a large hall with lots of people sleeping on the floor making various […]
Spine Race Part 6: Finding friendly faces along Hadrian’s Wall
This post is part of a series reliving the highs and lows of Rob Brooks’ epic adventure on the 2022 Winter Spine Race. Alston to Bellingham, 43 miles (arrive 8pm, depart 3am) Both my achilles had been sore during the previous section but upon leaving the hostel I found it almost impossible to walk they […]
Spine Race Part 5: COVID tests and positive lasagne
This post is part of a series reliving the highs and lows of Rob Brooks’ epic adventure on the 2022 Winter Spine Race. Middleton to Alston, 45 miles (arrive 10pm, depart 5:30am) Upon waking I was informed the party was at Middleton, with a large proportion of the remaining runners being here. It was also […]
Spine Race Part 4: Great Shunner Fell and beyond
This post is part of a series reliving the highs and lows of Rob Brooks’ epic adventure on the 2022 Winter Spine Race. Hawes to Middleton, 34 miles (arrival 2am, departure 9:30am) It was daylight when I awoke and I was conscious about getting moving as quickly as possible but also conscious that my cough […]