Race 9 of BRC Grand Prix 2023 saw Cumbria receive another visit from BRC.
RAF Spadeadam was the destination for the second race in the greater than 10 mile category for 2023 and began a series of 3 half marathon races in 4 weeks within the Grand Prix competition.
A flat tyre and quick rearrangement of travel schedule were the stresses early in the day but still arrived at the site with plenty time to spare and after the standard security checks and pass issuing, a chance to catch up with fellow BRC members and the commencement of ‘normal’ banter about who sits where in respective divisions, race plans (or not) and possible/expected outcomes. Gotta love a bit of friendly banter…
The chat continued on with opinions on shoe choice, who forgot their sun cream (it was glorious before the race), how many gels to take, hydration pack or not, etc, etc and then we were ready to assemble for the pre-race briefing.
A nice mention from the organisers for our presence in numbers (we numbered 17 out of the 64 entrants), re-iteration to follow the signs/taping and not the person in front then 5-4-3-2-1 we were off.
200m in, and all visible signs pointed right, granted with ‘car park’ below one of them, but no visible signs/taping suggesting anything else so right we turned. The racing van sounding its horn and the shouts of runners from behind saying ’wrong way’ led to an about turn, run back to the junction and then right to join the correct route. Funny now, but when you are at the start of a 14 mile run and you have completed 1 mile before reaching the quarter mile mark, it takes a little while to get your head in the right place for what is to come. What was of interest was the amount of people, who upon turning round, tanked it back down the hill, was quite unreal. It’s a long race, no need to waste energy early doors…..
The profile suggested the first 5-6 mile or so were a gradual climb with only a few small downhills and so it proved, mile after mile with little or no respite from climbing, through CP1 at 3 mile and a chance for a drink for those who had chosen not to wear the hydration pack, and upwards towards CP2. By CP2, around 6 and a bit mile, the field (small as it was) was beginning to spread out and the order of the day was beginning to establish itself. For the rest of the race it was a case of testing yourself against the course in front of you and hoping that you had paced it well and didn’t struggle in the latter stages.
CP2 passed and we were faced with the killer climb, about a mile in length, rising 250ft in total, approx. 5% overall but with sections that felt like 10-15%. Brutal is the best word I can use to describe that section looking back on it but at the time there were one or two other words floating around between the ears….
Killer climb done and not forced to walk up to this point, the profile suggested that it was downhill all the way. It was really, with just a few (7 or 8) little climbs on the way, but after the killer climb, everyone felt like a bit of a beast and the mind really wanted me to just walk. Running maintained though and onwards past CP3 (a little diversion off the path and around some militaria, that was surrounded by soggy ground) and then a decision faced us at around mile 12.
The sign pointed right, but it was the backside of the sign that was visible. Had it slipped and rotated in the wind? Did it point left originally? The field was so spread out that there was no-one in view to follow. The guy running close to me wanted to go right, but I was convinced it was left from my review of the route. I nearly even turned the sign round the right way to make it point left for those following but what if I was wrong?? Would I be responsible for everyone going the wrong way behind me?? I convinced the guy with me to go left and 800m down the road, another sign pointing straight on, phew. Wish I’d trusted myself and turned the previous sign now!!
All downhill from here, me and the gent close by matched each other stride for stride for the last mile+ and at the end crossed the line arms joined and aloft. Will look forward to meeting that gent again, great craic.
The posse from Blyth put up an outstanding performance on the day.
Michael Stott 1st (and covering over 16 miles in the process, wrong turn at the backwards sign around mile 12).
Sandra Watson 1st F50, 3rd Female
Nikki Courtney 1st F40
Kandis Watson 2nd Female
9 BRC members in the top 20.
So that’s a wrap, well done everyone on a challenging course/run. Tested the mind just as much as it tested the legs and lungs.
Onto the next one, Kielder half on 09/10/2023, another tester for the legs and body I would suggest, maybe this time with a few more participants around you to help with those mind games that distance running tends to present.
Good luck