RR10 2016: Whiteley

On 13 July I ran in the new RR10 course at Whiteley.  Awful traffic getting there, but a whole new patch of woodland opened behind all the urban sprawl and everyone was curious about this brand-new venue.

It was a fantastically narrow start on a gravel track, but after a mile or so we were into woodland trails, and at this point the fun began.  Highly technical swervy narrow paths with hazards everywhere.  The organisers had very diligently painted the more deadly tree roots, but most of them weren't visible until the heels of the runner in front had cleared them.  There were a couple of wooden bridges that would have been lethal on a wet day.  There was no hope of keeping any bearings; Ijust ploughed on and on, hither and thither, until I emerged back on the gravel track with a final charge to the finish.

 

I finished in a lather on the ground... so much so that the first aid bloke came to check up on me.  Plenty of others came in covered with mud after taking a tumble.  Lots of laughter all round.  I arrived in 19th place - good to snreak in to the top 20.  A super event.