Nick,

The casualty suffered a fractured ankle and was promptly treated by Chorley hospital.Will be laid up for a few weeks but Ambulance & Hospital staff very good.Out of hospital by 1.30pm.
Hope this accident didn't affect anybody elses enjoyment of what was looking to be a good day out

Did any other 'forumites' do this event yesterday? We are usually blessed by cold, sunny weather for this one, but this year was even sunnier and even colder than usual. It was a blast to set foot on such firm, dry ground where there would usually be mud. One of the downsides was the ice, which was lethal on roads. I was sad to see someone by the roadside awaiting assistance just before checkpoint 2. I heard afterwards that a broken ankle had been sustained. I hope the casualty is well on the mend.

Another downside was the ankle-twisting, rock hard, normally very muddy, hoof-damaged field shortly before the end. It's funny how that field is always such a mess, yet I have never seen the animals that churn it up so. I think I'd prefer the mud in that situation :-)

As always, our hosts did an excellent job of welcoming us and getting everything running smoothly. The sports club at Newburgh makes a nice, comfortable base to finish at.

Nick.