Rivington Pike Fell Race

The Rivington Pike Fell race takes place in Horwich each Easter Saturday.  I have ran this race once before in 2004 when I won the event.  I haven't since then had the opportunity to run the race as it more often than not lands just before the London Marathon and wouldn't be the ideal thing for me to do a week or two before the marathon.  Saying that I once remember Dave Norman doing it before the marathon.
I was looking forward to being able to race it and to enjoy it.  I got to the race with a lot of time to spare as I was down for a 10 mile run today.  So to warm up I did the race route which allowed me to make a decission on which shoes to go for.  I opted for my Adidas Adios.  You might have now worked out that this Fell Race isn't an all out and out fell race but a fell race with a lot of tarmac, stone and climbing involved.  The race is advertised as 3.25miles with an awesome course record of 15.56 which no one has never been near. 
It starts with about 3/4 of a mile of good tarmac before it hits the hill and starts to climb to the pike.  You can see the pike as you drive on the M61 sat on the moors above Horwich.  Once you start the climb it doesn't really stop or ease up until you hit the top of the hill and go round the pike.  Then its all down hill from this stage.  The down hill is fast and with the recent dry weather meant there was no need for trail or fell shoes. 
When the race started I went off hard as the race is only three miles.  Tom Cornthwaite pushed on in front of me when we hit the climb but after a few moments I was back in front and opening up a lead.  By the time I had climb to the top I was well clear and able to enjoy the long run down hill.  Whether I will enjoy it in the morning when I wake up with sore quads is another story. 
I wanted to do this race as I am going to run the Snowdon Race again this July and need to get used to running up and down some good climbs.
Full results of the race here.
Well done to everyone who ran or supported the race.