Osprey Run – PREVIEW

Race 2 of the Shadowlands Winter Trail Series is fast upon us.  The Osprey Run carries a bit more distance at 23km but with 478m of ascent it is nowhere near as harsh on the legs as the opening Deadwater Run was.  Expect this race to be fast and flowing.  As we keep mentioning these two early races are excellent opportunities to get real points on the board if you have an eye on the overall series.  With smaller numbers you get every chance to clock up big points before the Winter Wipeout where big points are hard top come by in a large field.  The Osprey Run kicks off at the same location as the Deadwater Run, the Kielder Castle car park.  That can be seen by the little flag on the map below which represents the start/finish.

The blue circles are the designated marshal points.  The green circles are the points of interest.

Setting off at 6pm the runners will head out on the walkers track towards the Forest Drive.  It begins at tarmac but only for 50 metres before turning into a forest track.  Within 1km you’ll be on the first bit of single track as you dive right and head into Spooky Well, point A on the map.  This is a nice little loosener to get your legs warmed up and your brain attuned to what lies ahead.  Following this is a long stretch of forest track which will be quick ground for those with a desire to race.  At point B runners hook a right off the Forest Drive and with a small amount of climbing go deep into the forest on a wide track all the way to marshal 1.

It’s marshal point 1 where things start to get steep and this is probably your hardest climb of the day as you keep going up, up, up on the point D track until eventually you turn right into the mountain bike trail known as Hill 361.  This is a glorious trail that swoops and sweeps you all the way for over a kilometre.  Hill 361 turns into Rikkies Run and then eventually you spill out on a ledge above Devils Lapful where on a clear day you’d have a cracking view over the reservoir.  On the ledge you hit a forest track where you can get those legs pumping before sliding into Cheese Sike which is a largely up hill mtb trail but relatively short.

Image: Del Stevyn

It’s after Cheese Sike where there is a diversion to regular route so now you turn right, head down a forest track to marshal point 2 before hooking left and climbing a wide forest track to the entrance of Fams Bridge.  From here is possibly some of the best trail you will find anywhere in Kielder.  A short descent slaps you down to the bridge which is followed by a short but steep set of switch backs as part of Take Five.  This is turn gives way to Squirrel Nut Pines which is my eyes is the best bit of trail about as it caresses you down through wide open pine trees and you can hit the berms hard if you want to or just relax and go with it.

This takes you all the way down to marshal point 3 where the trail crosses the North Haul Road and gets the runners on the Lakeside Way.  It’s important to CROSS the road as the road and the Lakeside Way follow different routes back to Kielder.  From here it’s around 5km of quick Lakeside Way which has some gradual inclines but nothing to write home about.  This is the time to pick up the pace and when you eventually cross the old train bridge over the river you know the race is nearly done.  At the end of the bridge you hook a right and then pass through the car park and up the road to Kielder.

At marshal point 4 you’ll be guided over the village road which is a track that bypasses Kielder until you bump into marshal 5 who again will get you across the road safely and on to the track that passes behind the castle and round to the Pinetum.  Passing through the Pinetum you’ll finish by hitting the same track you left on and back to the finish.  With 23km in your legs you’ll have earned your stripes today and clicks up big points towards the overall series.

Image: Del Stevyn

Overall this is a race that can be broken down into three sections.  The first and last parts are pretty steady, good going and allow for a consistent rhythm and a faster pace if you’re that way inclined.  The middle third is where all the mountain bike trails are.  These are not technical by any means as they are rated blue on the mtb scale but they do demand you attention.  Focus on where your stepping and how you handle what’s in front of you and you’ll be absolutely fine.

In terms of kit you need a headtorch, enough water to get you round and suitable kit for a winter race at night.  We’d advise against just wearing shorts and t-shirt and nothing else.  Try and have some kind of backup plan to keep yourself warm should you have any issues.  When a marshal finds out that someone has a problem we can access most parts of the course in pretty quick time.

If you love your trail running then you’re going to get a lot out of this race.  It is quick but can also be very varied along the way.  You tackle it however you wish.  We all look forward to seeing you there on the day.

Remaining races in the Shadowlands Winter Trail Series:

3rd Jan – Osprey Run

10th Jan – Winter Wipeout

24th Jan – Lewis Burn Run

31st Jan – Lonesome Pine Run

7th Feb – Duergar Run