Race report by Dave Phillips – 2nd in the Winter Series of 5
Today was the clockwise direction of the circular course but as usual the hills took their toll.
305 runners started so what a great turnout on this superbly organised run by Tempo Events so again many thanks. Pity they can’t make the hills less steep!
The 1st 4k around the village was anything but flat but not too bad but then a left turn and all you could see was a 45 degree hill in front of you. Up and up it went getting steeper until some thought we were at the top. Not to be but it did get less steep but still uphill to the highest point in Warwickshire where I am told you can see 6 counties. This was at 6.5k so a real climb it had been. Today you could just about see the hedge on the roadside next to us because of the fog and mist but at least it was dry.
Then the downhill started and this was great but still with no views anywhere until we were nearly at the bottom at the 8k mark. The final 2k was up tough with 2 uphill slogs until eventually the finish was in sight so another great Sunday event over.
As usual sausage packs for all finishers and showers, coffee, bacon rolls and cakes in the club house so what a way to spend a Sunday.
As with the 1st in the series the red and whites were hardly to be seen-there used to be loads of us. Too tough? Come on.
The same 3 of us have now done 2 of the series:
Massey results:
5th Dean Clarke 39.07
26th Alan McDougal 45.19
301st Dave Phillips 84.24
Coombe Abbey XC 8 miler next week (should be easier than today).