'Race wins and fish and chips' - all in day's work for Rob Hope
After a great run at Slieve Bearnagh on Saturday we caught up with reigning British Fell champ Rob Hope. We find out what top mountain runners do the day after a big win, and discover all about their post-race meals!
So, a good win on Saturday, Rob…
Yeah, had a top weekend in Ireland. I felt confident that I’d recovered some form after an early season struggle with the after effects of flu and was hopeful of a good performance.
How did the race pan out for you?
I set off reasonably steady and pulled through to 2nd behind Morgan at the top of the first climb before quickly passing him on the first descent. As we hit the start of the vicious 2nd climb up Slieve Bearnargh it was my brother Dan, Lloyd, Morgan and I together and this didn’t change much by the top. Dan then plummeted off the rocky summit to take a reasonable lead and I feared the worst having never lost to him. Fortunately, I climbed well up to the last summit and descended well off the long largely grassy slope to the finish to win my 4th Irish British Championship race on the trot. Dan had a cracking run behind me and ensured the Hope brothers had great day at the races.
There was no looking back for Rob on Saturday
…and after the race, how did you feel?
My thoughts after the race were – when is it time for fish and chips on the seafront! On Sunday, the Pudsey boys, Tom Owens and Robbie Simpson had a training run around the Donard-Commedagh race route in glorious sunshine, which is used as the medium distance event on a tri-annual basis. It was pretty painful though as the legs took a serious beating in the race.
What’s next up?
If I recover, I’ll be having a go at defending my Rivington Pike Race title on Saturday. I’m feeling strong but not too sure my flat pace is quite up to scratch yet. The race is only 3.25 miles long but includes over a mile on a flat road and a road section up the main climb.
After the Pike race I’ll be going for the next British Champs Race at Stuc a’ Chroin. It’s just a shame that the British Champs is a 3 from 4 series this year as you have to include a race from each distance so if you miss one race, go wrong somewhere or are ill, it’s game over.
