For those of
you who haven’t had the pleasure of this event, it is held annually as part of
the village fair which makes it an ideal event for those with non-running
partners / family. Plenty
of amusements, shows, food and 4 pubs within 50 yards of each other. It
is a ‘testing’ course made even more difficult this year with the high
temperatures.
The race
starts from the village square to the backdrop of the ‘Strongest Man’
competition reaching the ‘how many times can you lift the transit van off the
ground in 5 minutes’ stage and sets off on a steady 2 mile long climb. Then the
course gets hard! None of the next 6 miles are flat and, although the
organisers put out ‘Caution – steep descent’ signs they omit to mention the
equally steep ascents that follow. The race ends with a steep, first gear climb
back into the village which destroys any hope you may have of making an
impressive sight crossing the finishing line!
I got back to
be informed that I’d missed the Belly Dancing on stage but was in time for the
karaoke competition. As if the race wasn’t bad enough – the torture that
followed was far worse and even a pint didn’t make it any better. Susan Boyle
it wasn’t – more like Katie Boyle!
The results –
Gareth put in a sterling effort and finished 22nd with 54.09 and I
trailed in a bit later (41st in 59.09).
Dave Bradley