RR10 IBM Hursley - Race Report

I can’t pretend that I was looking forward to the last RR10 of the season.  The parkland around IBM Hursley is lovely – but it feels more like 3 laps of a cricket ground than a proper cross country experience.  And there is the issue of being lapped which is never a positive experience for a plodder like me!

Having said all that, the atmosphere was great.  21 of us ran, Simone came to support as did Sarah N’s family (with a very cute spaniel) and Nikki’s daughter.   As it is the last race of the season, team photos were taken & I think we all look rather lovely – although Tracey was facing the loo queue & missed it.  Loos are a positive feature of this RR10 though – unlike the Forest runs, there are some and unlike Itchen Valley, there are more than 1!  Many thanks to Paul Hammond for the fantastic pictures.

Team Photo - thanks to Paul Hammond

There may have been a briefing but this wasn’t audible from the back of the start crowd. 

Not too hot, not too windy, no rain & a dry 4.4 mile course.  One hill which started each of the 3 laps – I was heartened by a marshal who congratulated me for insisting running up it – albeit very, very slowly!  I managed to get a bit of speed on the first downhill & I may have been a little too jubilant at catching up with Louise – but this was predictably short lived as I found my natural plod pace.  Marian regretted not heeding wisdom from Louise to leave her sunnies behind in the wooded bits.

Siri looking speedy!  Thanks to Paul Hammond

Lapped at about ¾ of the way around lap 1 – one year I aim for this to happen in lap 2!  We agreed afterwards that although very well organised, it would be useful to instruct us which way to go when being lapped – e.g. move to the right to allow the speedies through.

Louise & Bridget - thanks to Paul Hammond

Lap 3 and it all went quiet – no more being overtaken.  I had a great chat with Wendy about an epic road trip she’s about to undertake to Morocco before deciding I really should make at least a little effort on my pace & attempted to catch up with Lisa W.  I failed to do this, but the 3 of us came in one after the other, cheered on by our lovely fellow Sisters.

Amazing run by all - Siri came in first, 37th woman over the finish line.  Jo G was next at 53 & then Claire D at 63 - still hampered by an arm problem.  Lisa G, Irma, Verity, Karen, Nicola and Sarah N all made it in the first 100 women.  Louise, Marian, Suzanne, Bridget, Nikki, Heather & Tracey all in together (pretty much!) followed by Lisa W, me and Wendy.  Tanya & Rachel did really well - both finished strongly.  Initial results are here.

I’m really pleased to have done 8 of the RR10s this year – and to have got a season score.  September will be cross country free – then starting the CC6 series in October.