AVEBURY
8 - SUNDAY 15TH NOV 2009
This was a
challenging multi-terrain event set in beautiful Wiltshire
countryside that surrounds the historic village of Avebury. The superbly
marshalled race is put on by Marlborough Running Club who, like Pewsey,
seem to have a penchant for getting dirty!
The start is
deceptive, beginning a short walk from race HQ in the village hall, it
heads out on a narrow lane gently uphill. After a mile or two the fun
begins. You leave the road and the route soon becomes muddy, rutted and
challenging in many places. However, once you are on to the higher
ground the course provides some gravelled bridleways and tracks where
you can get a move on, if you want.
For the most
part the course is undulating rather than hilly with a downhill finish
that will perk up your time, if you are bothered. I did a quicker time
than last year simply because I knew what was coming up next! Off-road
shoes are highly recommended if you want to stay on your feet (there are
bits you could actually drown in!) and I saw many runners struggling to
stay upright in road shoes on the muddier bits.
As this race
takes place on a World Heritage Site, the entry is restricted to 150
runners; there is limited parking due to the number of year-round
tourists, and no parking in the village streets. So if you fancy
entering next year's, keep an eye on Marlborough's web site where they
have an Avebury 8 link.
Mikey White
SWINDON
10K - SUNDAY 22ND NOV 2009
Thank Goodness I
didn't have to run around the mean and unforgiving streets of Swindon -
the race actually takes place near Wroughton, south of the town.
This was only
the second running of the event following on from the success of 2008's
inaugural race. On this occasion nearly 500 hardy souls braved biting
winds and horizontal rain as we trudged to the start line some distance
from the relative comfort of a former RAF hangar (now home to Swindon
Go-Karting) to listen to organiser Steve Goulding's amusing pre-race
briefing. I don't think I've ever been so cold at the start of a race -
it was bleak!
The well
marshalled route is fairly flat and fast on roads or quiet lanes, and
despite a two-lap loop, was actually very enjoyable to run - once I was
warm enough! The terrain here is very hilly, but the course is laid out
on high ground of around 200m, so at one point you are afforded a
fantastic view of Swindon below in the distance (best way to view it in
my opinion!) to the north.
The finish was
an unwelcome 2k slog into the teeth of a squally westerly gale, but as
the giant hangar near the finish hove into view, all my thoughts were
of dry clothing and the warmth of the nearest pub!
Fancy this one?
Check out Steve's web site 'Grassroots Events' for this and many others
in the area. The guy's a legend in these parts!
Mikey White
