by Capt Carmichael.
I entered this 20 miler quite late and with also having Ashby 20 at the end of the month, and I’m not entirely sure why! On looking closer at race day instructions, they have no specific race parking so it’s just find a spot on a side street and walk to Race HQ. I travelled over with Lyndsey Parsons; this being her last long run before Brighton Marathon and eventually we found somewhere to park. They had no secure bag storage and suggested arriving ready to run, although they did say you could leave some stuff at your own risk! As it was, plenty of people had left full bags so could have done it. It was cold so we kept our jackets on, yes even me! Too few toilets and too many people queuing made it quite tense clock watching. Got to the start line with a couple of minutes to spare. Start time was 9.30am but some people were able to start at 9am. Sarah Hadfield was also running and set off at the earlier time. The support on the course was thin and sparse, and at least one of the early water stations hadn’t been set up when I went past. But it was a lovely scenic route with gently rolling hills, nothing too harsh though. Some cold and biting winds on the exposed roads but it was dry and no sleet in site. Medals were handed out at the end but any water was tucked away so it was over to the coffee van. This is a very low key event with only 389 finishers and not like the well-oiled Ashby 20. The take from this is get there early to park close by, and have enough time for the toilet. Well done to Lyndsey and Sarah.
