I think I’m hooked on trail running! I’ve enjoyed going on more medium distance runs (10-16 km) over the last couple of years and this has opened up some really fun races around Yorkshire. When I heard another mountaineering club member wanting to do the Malham run, I excitedly signed up. I knew it would be hilly but it really surprised me to find out that it had approximately 400 meters of ascent within the route.

The start of the race passes by Malham Cove, a beautiful climbing spot with towering, overhanging limestone routes. You ascend steps (so many steps) to Weets top with stunning views of rolling hills. I was pretty out of breath at this point but managed to occasionally peek behind me to enjoy the stunning landscape.

The funnest part was the descent, however. There is something to be said about looking out at the horizon running full pelt down a hill. I felt like a kid again and had no fear so long as the ground underneath me was largely grassy. As soon as the loose rock and slippery limestone returned on the path, I slowed down to stop myself from tumbling down the hillside. Plenty of others had much more confidence in their feet, though! A skillset to hone with experience for sure.

There is a freedom to trail running that road running doesn’t have. This seems to be a recurring theme for the hobbies I love most and I’m definitely going to bake in some more trail running (with its unfortunate hills) into my workout routine!