Thick mud ✔
Standing water ✔
Bridle path with horse poo ✔
It certainly felt that the winter running had arrived and cross country season started at Itchen Valley this morning. Although this was the second race of the season it was the first that Wessex made it to, following a combination of illness and unavailability meant a blank at Roundhill in the New Forest for CC6 #1.
Five runners made it to the start line, with David Howells nursing a knee injury but running through to make sure we were guaranteed a team result. E-mails prior to the start had mentioned the course was very soggy, feet would be wet and it didn’t disappoint.
It was Remembrance Sunday, so prior to the start a well respected minute’s silence was held. Then, with little warning, the race started and we were off. It was a two lap course but a different route to previously. It was certainly less hilly than before but the conditions certainly slowed most runners. It was a mixture of grass paths, some gravel trails and bridle paths. However there was a section in the middle of of each lap which was very wet and treacherous with a lot of standing water and deep mud. It was certainly draining to run through and by the time I got there (a reason to run faster in future) heavy traffic had churned it up even more.
Andrew ran very well and was the first Wessex runner home (58th), followed by myself (114th), Kevin (134th), a hobbling David H (147) and Richard (149). All home safely and cakes were enjoyed by all.
A reminder that we are organisers at the next CC6 (December 10th / Kings Garn Enclosure), contact Richard if you are available to help.
Wessex Road Runners 