In the region of 4,000 finely tuned athletes, spectators and officials descended on the picturesque setting of Wollaton Park Nottingham for this splendid event.
With 15 of us on the team bus, including our cheer leader Paul Sanders and another 5 making their own way, WRC managed to get 13 runners out for the men’s team and 6 for the ladies, a good turnout but ideally we need twice that number .
Nick promised me this was something you had to run at least once in your life, wish I had known Nick 35 years ago when I could possibly have done the event the justice it deserved.
The start is epic, 2000 lined up in designated pens, each teams faster runners at the front, the race gets underway, it’s so congested your eyes have to be firmly focused on the heels of the guys in front and the rough terrain doesn’t help. I intended to run with Patrick so we could help one another along, when I managed to look up there was no sign of Patrick or indeed any Wilmslow Runners, I thought I must have left Patrick behind at the first mud bath .
The course, I was informed was five laps, the first one went quickly so I was quite encouraged. However, each lap got longer and longer, like an unwinding spiral, each with a deeper longer mud traps. The second lap I was willing my shoe to come off, at least I’d had a go, but no I had fastened them well.
As the race progressed the field thinned out, as I climbed the steepest part of the course and having lost count of any laps, I was thinking, just get to the top of this hill and it will be downhill all the way to the finish. It was at this point I began to get lapped by the leaders, no disgrace, this was a strong field, but then I realised I would have to climb this hill again, there was still another lap. At one of the 180 degree turns I caught sight of Patrick, ahead of me and running well any thoughts of catching him were out of the window. Very relieved to turn this last corner and see the finish, I was cheered down the finishing straight by the hordes of supporters, well our ladies team at least many thanks to them.
Great performances by all our runners, especially Katy Green who lost her timing chip somewhere in the quagmire, after all her hard efforts, didn’t even get an official position. But unofficially was our best finisher in 227 place and a fantastic time of 36.48.
Result of the day was Gail getting us a third off the total bill at the Sherwin Arms on the way home.
Thanks to all that ran and for making this a great day out.
Chris
Well done all. Sorry I could not be with you. For club runners this is a must do race. Coe & Ovett both tried and failed to win in it. Head and shoulders above the VLM as one you must do once…IMHO, but Steve Cram agrees. Nick.