A return to Itchen Valley Country park for race number 7, expertly hosted this time round by Hedge End and Netley Abbey Runners. As is becoming rather a theme this year, another hot, dry evening!
The event started on a sombre note, with a minute’s silence in memory of Claire Browne – a leading light in the Netley running community who tragically passed away earlier this month aged 44. While I didn’t know Claire personally, of course our thoughts are with her family, friends, and teammates at this time.
The course itself was – as we were warned – extremely dry with some very rutted areas. The route took in approximately two and half laps of the park – with three similar passes through open fields and a moderate climb part way round, and some variation in the back half through the woodlands/bridleways.
Unfortunately Wessex didn’t quite manage a women’s team result this time round – Imy launching off at a terrifying pace to finish 35th in the ladies and Kavitha bringing in a PB placing for the season at 140.
Gary (heroically? absurdly?) turning out against all medical advice meant two team results in the mens, with runners home in order: Jay (47), Peter(112), Andrew S(134), Chris (195), Gary (224) – pushed across the line by Kevin (225) – David (242), Derek (244), Anthony (246) and Richard (254)
Wessex Road Runners 