Two Massey warriors made the trek up north’ish, to Ashbourne.
The designated car park was full by the time we got there, so we had to park a little way away, up a big hill! My immediate thoughts were of the return to this car park, after finishing the half marathon ….
We joined the queue for the bus to the start, and our journey began. It was a little windy at Parsley Hay, so Kevin sought out shelter. The run director gave the briefing and then we were off. Being at the back, I could see a multicoloured ribbon of runners ahead of me, disappearing into the distance.
The race is advertised as ‘downhill’, but there were definitely some uphill sections too. The trail is along a disused railway (thanks Dr Beeching).
The scenery is stunning – rolling hills, sheep, cows, wildflowers. Apparently Kevin didn’t get chance to appreciate any of that. Those are the sacrifices made by speedy runners. There were welcome water stations on the route. It was a sunny day, and it was heating up. There were family groups out walking, cyclists in ones, twos and sometimes groups, and also some dog walkers. I also passed two scout troops, carrying full backpacks, clearly finding the going hard. I tried to give them some encouragement as I passed by.
As you get close to the end, there is a feature they call “the sheep dip”, which is a very steep descent, across a bridge, followed by a very steep ascent. Kevin was waiting for me a little way from the top. He spurred me on, telling me it was just another 100 metres to the finish.
I crossed the line and was presented with my medal. Kevin had been a gentleman, and had brought the car down to the ‘flat’. He had even had time to have a shower at the Leisure Centre and change his clothes whilst I had been enjoying the scenery …..
– Helen Rowe