Let do that again

Time passes and here we are again the Big Black Mountain Challenge in aid of The Longtown Mountain Rescue Team.

The ususal suspects lined up at the start, with the addition of Luke the ginger bearded youngster who is exactly half my age.

So began the 50km hike

in glorious sunshine which is apparently abhorrent to ginger folks.  

The sun burnt off the clouds 

and Luke and yours truly tried to catch up Richard and Keith who had cracked on while sun cream was applied to Luke's extremities.

We caught Richard but Keith is nowhere to be seen. 

Half way

boots were attended to 

and the approach to the long haul began. This is the nightmare part of the trek, you lose all the height gained and descend into the valley before hauling out the other side to the summit beyond.

Luke took shelter when possible. 

The hills rolled on

mile after mile and no Keith in sight.

Pen ultimate check point 

and the painful descent back to the Abbey.

Richard was easily in the lead, with me close on his heels

and 

we crossed the finish line 9 minutes apart. 50km in 10hours 19 minutes.

Posing for many here its over pics

we waited for Luke some 30 minutes later

and a bit sore, chaffing of the thighs

feet were attended to again 

while yours truly scanned the hills for Keith who according to his GPS tracker was 45 minutes away

and while Luke slept

Rich and I waited for Keith 

who trundled in

having done an extra 5km due to not paying attention 

and wandering off the route.

Pose for more pics before tea and medals and back home in time for the Eurovision Song contest. 

We had to wake Luke up though. 

I did a good time got several PBs along the route.