The RR10 series returned to Marwell Zoo after a hiatus of a number of years. And WRR continued the great run streak of having a full team of 5 runners out for every race. Our next target should be a B team, a lofty goal but something which is extremely accomplishable.
With 7 runners the return to this venue was new for around half of us. Not knowing what to expect I was pleasantly surprised. The route started with a flat loop of the very spacious car park and went off through some fields with very long grass on either side of the path. This had not much overtaking space on either side which was to be a theme for the race, but regardless I don’t think anyone fancied straying from the path and getting dragged off by velociraptors.
The course then began the first of two bigger loops with an arduous long drag of a climb through trail with trees on either side. This climb was quite a challenge with little room for overtaking, there was also the danger of the hard rutted ground on the trail causing a trip or a stumble so it was advisable to go a little bit slower. After the climb we were directed right out into the open with scenic views developing and we were then brought back around for a downhill section to return to Marwell close to where we started to begin loop number 2.
All in all a good course of around 4.6 miles (7.5km) which importantly benefited from an expansive amount of parking and had a nice variety of challenging track and trail to pick your way over. The technical difficulty came with having to pick your moments to go past people on a difficult surface going up and then try and maintain your position and perhaps make up ground on the downhill.
This I feel was a very welcome return of the venue, as we definitely need the option of hassle free parking. Fantastic support and marshalling with 503 runners in total showing up for the event. All 7 Wessex road runners came over the finish line unscathed in the order of Phil, Andrew, Chris, Dave, Tim,, David and Richard. Peter provided excellent encouragement on the last corner before the finish, and happily there were plenty of cakes, with the lemon drizzle being top notch.
Race number 7 is in a couple weeks at Hamble.
Wessex Road Runners 