report by Kelvin Elliott
Once again it was time to start my racing year at Moreton Morrell College for the Mad Dash. I opted to do 10k this time as I arrived at the college it was very cold and the clouds were very grey. On the way to pick my number up I bumped into Natalie Devon who was going to run the 20k option. Due to other commitments there was only 3 Massey runners doing this event, (Natalie Devon doing the 20k two laps of the course, Rachel Brock and Myself doing the 10k option. Unfortunately we unable to get a picture of the 3 of us as the 20k start was roughly 200 yards from the 10k start.
There was two starts the 20k group set of first then there was a two minute wait for the 10k group. The time came and we set off on the run, Rachel went off into the distance as we started to head out of the college avoiding all the pot holes and speed bumps and taking in the air of animal smells, I made good progress on the downward descend out of the college through to the 1k mark. The group of runners were starting to spread out has we turned out of the college onto the country lane. Soon as I came to the first junction I was greeted by a marshal who was shouting on a mega phone Go Massey and I would see that marshal later in the race.
I made my way through the country lanes going through the different kilometres stages avoiding and dodging the tractors and cars that were on the road. I soon made my ascent into a little village called Ashorne and I knew that at the end of the village we would hit the 5k and the water station. I took some sips of water them headed back on the homeward journey it started to spit of rain. I soon hit the 6k mark and there is where we had some undulating hills and inclines to contend with all the way to the next kilometre. We were told at the race briefing we needed to keep left at all times on the country lanes and there was couple of runners who kept running in centre of the road. Daniel Connelly’s influence must be rubbing off on me as I could hear a car coming behind me and there were runners further up the road running down the middle I mustered the energy to give a big shout of “Car behind you” they soon moved over.
I felt I made good progress as I headed to the 8k and saw the marshal who shouted “Go Massey” he gave me few more words of encouragement. I soon saw the 20k runners as they passed me on their 2nd lap. I soon headed back into the grounds of the college seeing further runners. I got to the 9k mark and then it was the start of the big incline, I could see runners in front of me stop running and starting to walk. I was determined that this hill was not going to beat me so I dug in and shortened my stride and made my way through the hill, I passed a few runners, half way up the hill I saw Natalie make her descent for her 2nd lap and we gave a high five and words of encouragement. I reached the top and pushed hard as I ran along the home straight to the finish line ensuring that nobody was going to pass me.
I was pleased the way my run went and it was a good run to start off with and to put down a marker for next time to beat that time. Eunice informed me Rachel got a PB as she finished 10 minutes before me which is brilliant especially as it was very cold. Natalie completed the 20k with a really good time. Well done to the Massey trio. It was a very tough course which tests your stamina and endurance also this is very well organised event with very supportive marshals and a nice medal plus goodies to get afterwards.
10k
Rachel Brock 54m 13s – PB
Kelvin Elliott 64m 21s
20k
Natalie Devon 2h 01m 15s