Race Date: Saturday 18th May 2025
Two Striders teams toed the line on the 34th Old County Tops fell race. The 4 of us (the race is run in pairs) had the joys of covering the highest points within the old county boundaries of Lancashire, Cumberland and Westmorland over a stunning 37ish mile route.
The race is held in high regard amongst fell runners as it captures the essence of fell racing – “see that big hill there, go up it and come back down by the shortest steepest route you can muster”. The big hills in question are Helvellyn, Scafell Pike and Coniston Old Man which in total account for over 10,000 feet (3000m ish) of climb.
Starting at around 8 in the morning after a quick kit check, the 160 pairs of runners set off along the valley of Great Langdale climbing around Silver How and hitting the road again around Grasmere.
The first major climb of the day started with around 2 miles of steady climb up to Grisedale Tarn at the base of Fairfield. Part way up the climb we crossed a small stream where I soaked my hat to cool my bonce and a couple of buffs for my wrists, which became a habit for the rest of the day. Along the climb I reunited a lost lamb with its mother after they’d become separated by a gate.
From Grisedale Tarn the climb steepens up to Dollywagon Pike, contouring away from the peak past Nethermost Pike. We missed both of the actual peaks of these Wainwrights, as there isn’t much point in adding more climb and distance to an already stupid race. After a checkpoint at the summit of Helvellyn the quickest way down was completely off path following a trod or two here and there (or a Keswick vest for a more direct route). The climb had taken around 80 mins, the drop to the checkpoint only 20 (what a waste of time).
From the top of Helvellyn to the highest point in England is almost a straight line South East. Calling in at Angle Tarn for a top up of water and a check in with more marshals and clipboards. The sun by this point was really warming up and during the climb to the tarn the air was still, the heat draining. We came across a section worryingly called “The Bog” on the map, but as the ground was so dry it ended up being more like running on pillows than sloppy mud.
It was around this point I could feel a slump beginning – my temperature was alright but I could feel the creep of fatigue building. So I opted for a couple of salty roasted spuds and a slightly out of date caffeine gel. Before long, my head and body were back in the game. I think this is what makes a paired race interesting – you don’t tend to overlap the slumps so there is always someone to keep you motivated and moving. Dan was running strong all day as this race effectively marks the start of his taper before a Bob Graham attempt in a month or so, but even still there were moments early doors that he admitted being knackered.
Angle Tarn marks the half way point of the race as a whole and the start of the push to the top of Scafell Pike. Some minor undulation before the steep rocky scramble to the masses of people that marked the summit and the highest point in England.
What goes up must come down. This time the scramble was steep and technical with sections of scree, before another quad busting clatter to the valley bottom in Great Moss. We took a slightly dubious line following a runner or two ahead of us, and had to brace down a near vertical 8ft gap. But that was all part of the fun. Another run down the valley bottom dropping steadily to the second of two proper feed stations at Cockley Beck on Hardknott Pass. Topping up quickly with squash, filled all my bottles (1.5l of space), smashed a piece of malt loaf and grabbed a banana, leaving the skin in the bin and not on a mountain.
It might be just because it was the last climb of the day, or it might be because it was fucking horrendous, but the last slog up to Coniston Old Man was brutal – steep and clumpy underfoot. At the foot of Swirl How where we contoured to avoid needless ascent and then on to the wide flat top between Brim Fell and Coniston Old Man where the final checkpoint appeared. By this point with about 7miles to go, I saw a couple of crumpled and crouched retching runners, who were definitely struggling in the heat without a breeze. But we’d made it to the top of the climb and 95% of the elevation completed.
Back along the out and back to Swirl How we came across Nick and Louis who were also struggling with the heat which was impeding forward motion somewhat. With the final major descent under foot we dropped down the steep grassy bank, lightly punctuated with rocks, and then scorching tarmac of the breezeless Wrynose Pass. I was well and truly on the struggle train by the time I’d reached the bottom, the heat starting to really wear me out. A slight lease of life was afforded me when I was able to dunk my head and hat in a stream about 2 miles from the end. The last stretch through Great Langdale campsite taunted us as we passed our tent and a shower.
We reached the finish in under the A goal of 10 hours in 9:40. But if I’m honest, my primary goal (as had also been greatly emphasised to me by my wife) was to finish without falling over to the point I’d need medical attention, which I also achieved save for a small slip on tired legs that left me on my back like a woodlouse.
The four Striders and a few Dark Peak runners from Sheffield were all camping in Great Langdale, so we reconvened in the Old Dungeon Ghyll Inn for numerous pints and a bonus bit of entertainment from their folk fest. The most notable act of the evening being an accordion banging out 90s Dance Classics accompanied by a bloke playing the box. I’ll tell you though, restorative pints never tasted so good.
| Pos | Name | Cat | Time |
| 55 | Dan Abbott & Jim Rangelely | M Sen | 9.40.48 |
| 97 | Nick Burns & Louis Wood | MV 100 | 11.07.51 |
Full Results: