A small group from Beverley Athletic Club joined almost 200 hardy walkers and runners to complete the Filey Flyer challenge event last Saturday.
With a choice of either a 22 or a 16 mile course, starting and finishing in Filey, the event provided an excellent training run for those preparing for the London Marathon next month or the Coniston 14+ next Saturday.
Organised by the East Yorkshire branch of the Long Distance Walkers Association, the routes took in parts of the Cleveland Way, Wolds Way and Centenary Way.
The event was advertised as including panoramic views of Scarborough Bay, the North Yorkshire Moors and the Wolds but very low cloud and sea fret restricted visibility to less than fifty yards on much of the route and there were no views of the sea – not even from the cliff top path!
The weather was utterly miserable all day with constant drizzle developing into more persistent and heavy rain as the day wore on. Conditions underfoot were very muddy in places and care had to be taken to avoid slipping, especially on the cliff top paths!
Poor visibility made navigation between checkpoints more difficult and a number of competitors admitted to having lost their way in places.
Despite the poor conditions 143 people completed the long route. Michael Collins, organiser of the walk, said: “There were only seven retirements, indicating that the majority were hardy, regular walkers who are not bothered by a spot of rain.”
The organisation of the event was excellent with tasty snacks and hot drinks available at checkpoints. At the finish competitors were rewarded with delicious hot pie and peas.
The next EYLDWA challenge event is the 50-mile Woldsman from Driffield Showground on April 17.
Beverley AC finishing times
Long route: Mike Atkins 4.41; Pam Atkins 4.41; Ivor Roberts 5.56; Brian Richardson 6 hours +; David Williams 6 hours +.
Short route: Charlie Culpan 2.53; Jayne Dale 2.53; Andy Tate 2.53; Kay Farrow 3.52; Pete McNally 4.01
Photos at the start courtesy of Martin Dawes of the East Yorkshire Long Distance Walkers Association
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Photos at the start courtesy of Martin Dawes of the East Yorkshire Long Distance Walkers Association