Through the Villages
Wheelton, Nr. Sunday, 5th November
2006 |
|
Do it again: 10
PB potential: Only if you do
the same race again as it’s an odd distance
Atmosphere: 10
Organisation: 9 fab’ but there were no drink
stations
Value for money: 5 £6 well OK, but I thought £2 extra on the day was a bit steep.
Beginner Friendly: 1 (I’m not joking!)
Well, all I can say is ahhhhh! Imagine hell on
earth in running terms and this was it! Worse still, imagine doing it with a
stonker of a hangover and you have how my morning went in a nutshell! (It was
the morning after Martin’s birthday bash
and I wasn’t going to drink much…ahem!)
The course is very pretty, very hilly and
pans through about four little villages dotted on the edge of the east Pennine Moors. The distance is just
over 8 miles, incorporates three steep hills and one drag at about 5 miles that
saps any bit of energy you might have stored in your legs. The finish is
equally as tough as it’s a steep downhill stretch that turns what’s left of
your legs into jelly. It’s actually, (for those masochists out there), a ‘must
do’. I loved it. Am I mad? (Don’t answer that!!)
Alan (The Pieman) 
improving myself too, even though I couldn’t shake off Nigel ‘the rocket’ Shepherd, who came
hurtling past me at about 7 ½ miles.
I won’t prattle on, but, although it’s not for
the feint-hearted, it’s a fabulous race organised by a smashing fella, Terry Dickenson. It had a real ‘village
community spirit’ feel about it as all the ladies, with pinnies, all mucked in
to dish out the steaming hotpot at the end. Finally, just to say watch your
footwear if you ever do it as it’s heavy going on your toenails. Mine are still
attached - (just!)
Sore Footnote:
Peter Gleaves’ number fell off during the
race. As he’s came into the finishing funnel the time keeper asked him where it
was. He promptly produced it from inside his shorts! He’s
not proud in’t the lad!
Yours in Running,
Michaela Dempsey
Submitted: 5th
November 2006
Edited by: Brenda J
Earnshaw WRR Editor