The photo (above) taken at the start of the race, bathed in sunshine, does not represent how things were only a few hours before the race. Torrential downpours with thunder and lightning were centred on Winchester, emails were being sent round warning of cancellations for safety reasons. However things settled down and the forecast for the evening was much improved. The race went ahead and was as tough as usual.
Even before the start there was plenty of Wessex grumbling about previous experiences of the course, hilly, nothing flat, narrow and now (following the rain) slippy with overhanging undergrowth (less of a problem for the shorter runner). The pre-race ‘camp’ seemed quieter than usual, fewer runners, I suspect due to the earlier weather and the start of school holidays. Eight Wessex runners (plus Derek for support) lined up at the start, another excellent turnout.
The course was the same as last year, so should have held few surprises. A downhill start and then a hairpin bend, back up the slope (a tricky camber on the way up), crossover into the trees (very narrow) with more ups and downs. Then back onto the ridge and repeat for a second lap with a gruelling last kilometre, all uphill, to the finish.
Everyone home safely, in the order : Phil (73), Mike (92), Andrew (102), Nigel (144), Chris (151), David H (159), Kevin (162) and Richard (175). An excellent team result placed us 22nd out of 68 teams. With one final RR10 in two weeks time we are placed for our first top half finish since 2010.
Wessex Road Runners 