Race 4 of this year’s had fallen foul of December’s storm Darragh, was cancelled and so we moved on to the first of two races at Itchen Valley.
I felt slightly disorganised leading up to the race, we had a number of absentees through injury, illness and other events taking place on the same day. The day before the race we only had three runners, not enough for a team result. I also did not have the opportunity to get the new Wessex tent from Richard (still awaiting it’s first proper outing) or the flag from Phil.
Fortunately my son’s football was cancelled and begrudgingly Alasdair agreed to race and make up the numbers for a team result. We arrived at the event and without a flag to gather around we commandeered a nearby picnic table and set up camp. Somehow (without our flag) we were then found by Andy Cable and just before the race Mike turned up too, giving a total of six Wessex runners and a guaranteed team result.
The course was slightly different from previous years and more benign than before. Two laps, mostly of trail, some open field (although not as wet as previously) and it was too cold (very cold) for any flies to be around. It felt like numbers were down a little bit and there was plenty of space to manoeuvre and get into a rhythm. Derek popped up at the finish (hamstring injury) to cheer us home.
Mike finished first for Wessex, followed by Alasdair (dropped his Dad halfway round), Chris (track sessions paying off with newly reclaimed speed), myself, Kevin and Andy. An enjoyable race had by all, good cakes and not too much mud to take back into our cars.
The next CC6 is the fearsome Badger Farm, should be very local for some, on Sunday 9th of February. A reminder, in view of cancelled race, to claim a ‘proper’ result, three race finishes will be required.
Wessex Road Runners 