DERWENT RESERVOIR was 2023’s first Grand Prix race, where 40 Blyth runners travelled the 50 minute journey on Sunday 23rd February to this outstanding location for the popular trail run which we started on the dam wall along with 280 other runners doing this 10 mile run. A 5 mile run, taking a slightly different route also took place (starting 15 minutes earlier). Both runs were around trail paths, tarmac and grass. Starting on top of the dam wall with some beautiful scenery, despite the cold temperatures of 5 degrees, runners soon warmed up as the route took runners through some undulating woods on the far side of the dam, enough to get the heart pumping, before doing a loop and coming back across the dam and a double loop on the other side with a long pull up twice. The last mile included a slippery downhill on grass, with a bit of a head wind and drizzle at this point, to then a further steep downhill on tarmac towards the finish, where we caught sight of the finish arch, only to be forced to run around the outside of a field and back to the finish, slightly over 10 miles by my watch.
Runners finished down beside the Car park and were rewarded with a choice of two Wild Deer Merchandise items (medal, hats, buffs, running socks or water bottles), a chocolate snack & a drink (beer, cider or soft drink).
Would I do it again? Absolutely it was well organised, free parking, plenty of toilets and a café, I think most people enjoyed the run with great support for each other, great overall finish times by everyone, so well done! Special mention to Michael Stott taking overall first place and Leanne Herron first Blyth lady to finish. Well done also to Katie Donaldson for finishing first in her age category and our secretary Ralph Dickinson, second in his age category.
The full results can be found HERE