 By James Thurlow (Open Adventure)Swaledale was the location for the last Open5 of 2006, offering 5 hours of mountain biking and running (or walking if you prefer). Entries for this event were came flying in, 230 of them, of which 209 found their way to the start line on the picturesque village green of Reeth.
Registration was in the local village hall and was a melee of competitors, many first timers trying to glean that little nougat of information that would make all the difference. When people have asked the secret of doing well in an Open5 the usual answer was to be a women but this time that drastic action would not suffice as the female solo class was packed with the best in the country.
On the start line were Heather Dawe, Hilary Bloor, Karen McDonald, Heather Monro, Janine Hensmann, and Karen Heppinstall, who have all made their mark in national and international MTB and running events, and all of them were ready to give some sheepish blokes a run for their money.
Reeth is surrounding by hills with the imposing limestone of Fremington Edge on one side and Harkerside Moor on the other, with the youth hostel perched on the side. There would be no avoiding hills in this part of the country. Even though the values of the controls were weighted to the MTBing most competitors elected to spend more than a good 2 hours running with both the mixed and male pair winners electing to clear the run stage. Possibly it was a decision based on the wet weather, which was making the MTBing more tricky than usual.
The MTBing also had its own wet challenge, the maps in registration made a note that one bridleway across the river Swale was without a bridge. It was generally thought that would be enough to put competitors off the challenge. Oddly enough even without a paddle a good number including mixed pairs John Allen/Louise Willkinson and Colin Williams/Fiona Dickson made the crossing. It did them no dis-service as they came 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Mark Chryssanthou had a crack at the crossing but decided against it after the water went above his waist. Perhaps buoyancy aids should be on the kit list along with bike tools and a mobile phone? | 
