I’ve volunteered at this race a couple of times – but this was the first
time I’ve run it. Louise, our winter
race director, was working with Southampton AC and Winchester AC to organise
this event & had agreed to supply 12 of the 36 volunteers needed. The rules of the CC6 series allows the
organising clubs to have a team of 3 running – so once Lou was sure she had the
12 required, she gave me & Claire D permission to run. I think 1 more could have done, but the
problem is that volunteering kit varies majorly to running kit - the former is
all about staying warm enough to stand still for an hour or so in the great
outdoors, the latter is about keeping cool enough!
So I felt very lucky to have a running place. Conveniently, this CC6 was on 1st
December, the first day of Marcothon – a challenge to run every day in December
that I am repeating, having enjoyed it last year.
Volunteers were sent off to various corners of the course,
leaving Claire & I to set off – and Pat to hover by the funnel as a proper
EA race official.
4.2 miles, one short loop, one big loop then a repeat of the
short loop. Looking at the route map
before we set off avoided the “I thought I’d finished” crisis I experienced at the
Alverstoke RR10 having completed the big loop!
Terrain was mostly chalk path, a little mud, many leaves and some field
bits. I was grateful that it hadn’t
rained much in the preceding days so the mud was a little sticky as opposed to
full scale slippery.
There was one big hill, Yew Hill, and apparently all runners
were a bit subdued leading up to it. Seeing
a snake of runners working up it from my normal position towards the back was
impressive.
What made a huge difference on this run was the quality of the
marshals (yes, I’m biased!). SRS
marshals were fabulously enthusiastic – and I loved the extra encouragement from
Daisy, Japser and Brandon – excellent cheerleaders. And boy, we do cake well.
Well done Claire, thanks to all the helpers - and nice work Louise!
39: Claire D
61: Me
Volunteers included: Louise, Sam, Sally, Rachel, Jo, Jasper, Tanya, Tess, Pat, Claire H, Brandon, Sarah N, Genie, Daisy, Marian, Siri, Vicky, Dee, Wendy and Claudia.
Photos: Paul Hammond
