It is the 20th of July 2014. Haydn Williams stands on the start line of the Great Hucklow fell race. He’s here for one reason, and one reason only – to win for the flapjacks.

The flapjacks are but one defining feature of the Hucklow race, and I would suggest that another is the rather varied route across open moor and through tight little valleys. Last year I bolted off the start line far too quickly, and so this year the tactic was slow-and-steady.

It worked quite well, and parts of the course which had felt like purgatory last year actually gave quite enjoyable running this time. Everyone else seemed quite happy too – Tom hared off from the start and looked completely refreshed by the time I crossed the line. Toby from Barrow passed me about three-quarters of the way through, and then pulled away despite my best efforts to stick with him. Instead I ended up embroiled in a battle for 44th place with the first lady, in which I just about managed to triumph (although I am doing a good job of hiding behind her in the photo below).

 
Stuart came in a couple of minutes behind me, and Kat shortly after that. I’m pleased to say that everyone looked just as muddy, hot, and sweaty as me, but the flapjacks lived up to expectations and revived us all quite adequately! Recent injuries seem to be abating; the achilles was fine, although my neck / back / lats are aching a bit now. Hopefully some stretching will sort them out; I’m looking forward to Longshaw now!