#RunningInSquares 11th Jan – 24km & 16⊞

This was an epic run in the snow. Total change of route mid way through as we were making incredibly slow progress in knee deep powdery snow. Gave us immense respect for all those starting the Spine Race this weekend. Speaking of which, if you haven’t been watching dots already this weekend then here are the dots and here are the daily update videos. It’s brutally had running in this snow, and it’s only going to get worse when it thaws on Tuesday!

Distance: 24km. New squares: 16.

First new square of the day was heading down the, colloquially named, Cotton Famine Road (which isn’t what it sounds like apparently). Ben looking delighted at the conditions, there was one set of tracks to follow, other than those from the Mountain Hares.

SE0406 is more of the same. I’ve ran this ‘road’ in all conditions, I think today was the most exhausting of all.

SE0506 saw our route change, we’d taken over 2 hours to do 7km wading through the snow. This is the start of the ‘slabs’ – a well trodden path across the moors that is made up of huge stone slabs. We couldn’t find the slabs anywhere beneath the snow!

So, we headed off down the Aisle of Skye road (named after a long gone pub) that joins Saddleworth with Holmfirth in West Yorkshire. I’ve cycled it many times but don’t normally consider running it, but needs must as it was our only practical route to pick up the Pennine Way.

The highlight of SE0707 is the ‘butty van’ at the top of road where the Wessenden road joins. This van is here in all weathers and has refuels me on many a run with a warm cup of tea and a bacon & sausage butty!

We picked up the Pennine Way and headed down through SE0607 towards Marsden. This path had at least been used a bit and we could run. This section will be a relief after some of the more remote sections when the Spine Racers head over.

SE0608, SE0508, SE0509 & SE0510 cover the lovely run down the Wessenden valley. It’s filled with a series of man made reservoirs that provide freshwater for much of West Yorkshire.

It hasn’t been above freezing for a week now. There were some fantastic ice formations along the route, including here at SE0410 just above Marsden.

Another run up some road from Marsden golf course took us back onto the tops. A lovely view of Pule Hill here in SE0310. I’ll have to tackle that summit another day.

More exhausting snow in SE0309, we were pretty done in by this stuff by now.

Redbrook Reservoir in SE0209 on the top of the moor is often used for wild swimming, nobody there today, but….

Sight of the day goes to these two intrepid ladies in their swimming costumes and bobble hats, wielding a sledge hammer to make space for a dip in Brun Clough Reservoir at Standedge Cutting in SE0109. Rather them than me!

Last new square of the day, heading back down to Saddleworth on the Standedge Trail, which follows the route of the canal and train tunnels a few hundred feet below in SE0108.

A wonderful day out, if somewhat slow and exhausting!