On a hot and humid evening in late July, over 450 runners descended upon Pilsley for the annual pilgrimage to Hardwick Hall, joined by two Grantham Running Club members. An out and back route, it starts with a long climb up to the magnificent Hardwick Hall before the turnaround point which takes runners back down the hill to Hardwick Inn.
The prospect of running up the hill to Hardwick Hall was a daunting one, with its twists and turns you could never be sure when the end was in sight.
This year Caroline Davis was determined to beat the hill and managed to get to the top in one go, recovering quickly at the turn around point before heading back down the hill, passing clubmate Ros Sadler on her way up.
However, this wasn’t the end of the climbs and as all runners know – when you come down you have to go up. The runners needed to hold something back as there followed around 3km of uphill to The Shoulder pub at Hardstoft where there was a rowdy welcome from the drinkers.
After a final turn into the village there was a 1km home straight to the finish with a welcome downhill to end the run.
Caroline Davis completed the run in 58:13, improving on last years’ time. Ros Sadler came in at 1:08:43 and said that this was the hardest race she’d ever run but she’d be looking for another challenge to rival this one.
The winner was Samuel Moakes who beat his time from last year in 31:53. First female was Emma Peace in 42:20 seconds.
Caroline and Ros were happy to take home bright pink “I beat the Hardwick hill” t-shirts.
Report by Caroline Davis
Photos c/o Craig Linacre Photography