The second G3 2008 race was even harder than the first. Near Newlands Corner (the start/finish) is St Martha's - a church on top of a hill. This race took us up the narrowest and steepest way up that hill - affectionately known as Martha's Back Passage. It seemed that everyone had to walk up that hill as it was so steep. The views from the top there are amazing, so it was well worth it. Excellent fun in the mud, sand, mud, sand, hills, etc.
The course was actually just about 7 miles (6.96 on my Garmin, although others reported it to be 7.29), so longer than 10K. I finished in 1:15:52.
Showing posts with label 10K. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 10K. Show all posts
Friday, 4 April 2008
G3 2008 Race 2 - 9 Feb 2008
Thursday, 3 April 2008
G3 2008 Race 1 - 12 Jan 2008
For the new year, I fancied a real gritty challenging trail run. The G3 10k running series has fast become the litmus test for 'a challenging run' so seemed ideal. Three different courses are raced over three dates, all starting and finishing from the same venue: Newlands Corner, Guildford, Surrey. Approximately 10k xc running across the North Downs using sandy trails, woodlands tracks and grassy fields.
The first race started at 8:30 in the morning and it was cold (2°C) and wet. I felt for the organisers who'd been there since 3am setting up the course. A challenging run it was indeed - lots of up and down hills, mud, mud and more mud and lots and lots of fun in a beautiful location. I finished in 1:08:43.
Austin Trail of Lights 5K - 8 Dec 2007
I was in Austin for a couple of weeks in December with work and this 5K race happened to be on at the time. Every December in Zilker Park (just across the river from downtown Austin), a trail of more than 180,000 lights is setup and to open it, they hold a 5K race.
The race started at 6:30pm and it was hot (75°F) and humid. There must have been around 5000 people in the race - it was absolutely rammed. I recall feeling massively out of place when they played the US national anthem (and everyone sang along) just before the start.. very odd. Anyway, the race started and it took ages for everyone to get over the start line. There was no organisation at the start and it turned out that loads of people were walking, and had got themselves near the front, so hundreds of people were struggling to get past them. Still, the lights were pretty cool.. I finished in 26:55.
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
Puma Urban Escape 10K Trail Run at Hankley Common - 28 Oct 2007
Now this was a tough race. It was cold, absolutely lashing it down with rain and very windy. The course was 2 laps, part of which was very open and exposed to the wind and rain with some huge and very sandy hills.
Great views, hard running, crap weather and good company. What more can you ask for?
I finished in 1:00:26 - I was a bit gutted not to get in under an hour but considering the weather and the horrible sandy hills, it wasn't too bad.
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
Poppy Hill 10K - 14 Oct 2007
Hidden behind the famous Sandhurst Military Academy near Camberly, Surrey is an area of forest designated by English Nature as an 'area of Special Scientific Interest' that is usually closed to the public. Inside this fenced enclosure are some gorgous trails through mixed woodland and areas of open heathland with just enough hills to make it interesting.
These trails were the scene of my first real trail race and I really got hooked after this one. The start/finish line was on top of a hill which had to be climbed twice during the race - once after only a mile or so and once just before the end of the race. It was a nice day if I recall correctly and the course was mostly dry with a few sandy patches and the hills weren't too bad.
I finished in 58:54. It was a great location - I'll definitely look to do a run here again.
Dunsfold Aerodrome Cancer Research 10K - 16 Sept 2007
This 10K was supposed to be at Loseley Park, but was moved at the last minute due to the foot & mouth outbreak to Dunsfold Aerodrome, the airfield where Top Gear is filmed.
I raised £260 pounds for Cancer Research doing this race. Many thanks to everyone who sponsored me!
As a result, this was a fast, flat two laps round the airfield and I got a new PB of 52:40, which still stands (probably because every 10K I've run since has been off-road and up and down hills).
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
Wooburn Park 10K - 20 May 2007
This was my second race and the local race of my brother-in-law, Pete. The first kilometre was all uphill and steep with it. After that it was largely flat and the finish was down the same hill that we'd gone up at the start. Running up the hill was hard work but down was fantastic - I really enjoy opening up my stride and going flat out downhill.
Pete finished in 49:something - I did 55:48 which (especially considering the hill) was a good improvement on my earlier 10K time.
Clandon Park 10K - 12 April 2007
This was my first race and it was great. I didn't really know what to expect but this turned out to be largely on fields, along tracks, around lakes, etc. The sun was shining and it was a great day.
I hoped to complete this in under an hour and did so, finishing in 59:06.
My lovely wife has entered the 2008 Clandon Park 10K so it'll be my turn to do the cheering with the kids.