RACE REPORTS 2023

A great turnout at our latest night venture. 71 set off into the cold and 71 returned to the warmth of the Roundbush and enjoyed a curry and a pint.

After a bit of a dip in numbers we really seem to be back in the swing again and attracting runners from all over the county and even London. But it is still the same names winning the races and as with a lot of our events the ladies are well to the fore.

Lynn and Keeley combined to win outright with Philippa third overall. First man was Philippa’s running partner Andy and he was followed home by Daniel and Ian who was doing his first trail. In fact there were several people doing their first narrative trail race and in the dark too.

Unusually there weren’t many tales of woe as most of you got round without a hitch. 

We will be back at this great little pub in the summer so you can see where you ran last night.

WHERE WAS SANTA?     

What had been snow and ice when I checked the course before Christmas was now mud and water plus a bit more mud and water. 

Howard had set a straightforward course as per normal for night races and only one group missed the three Santas turn off the never ending bridleway. There were also a few wet feet at the ford as the mighty Chelmer actually looked like a river for a change.

I walked the course with wifey and Wendy and everyone who passed by was friendly. There were some impressive head torches. I thought one was a car coming up behind us, but it was just a speedy runner. After we crossed the main road we let Ian go ahead and he crossed the stile, we walked around it. Then the shock comment of the night at the chocolate bag. “I’m too hot to eat chocolate” I couldn’t believe my ears.

Then Snig went by (pre nasty fall). Wendy commented on how long the field path was, I told her that there was far worse and longer to come. We barely went five minutes all night without someone catching us up. Sarah told us off for not glowing in the dark.

Back over the main road and along the track I mentioned that sometimes the river overflows into the path, and sure enough it had.  Local knowledge took us off the path into the field and to the footbridge. 

We finished just ahead of quite a large bunch to find Howard was in the bar somewhere and Dave H was in charge of the laptop. After some time he noted our time.

It was so warm in the bar we took our coats and jumpers off and now guess what? Yes it was the ideal temperature to eat chocolate. 

All very sociable in the pub and thanks to Howard for another great night.