Stubbington 10K Sunday 19th January

I'm not sure why I've never thought to do Stubbington 10K before - Clare W & Louise both extol its virtues as a motivation to keep the running up over Christmas - and apparently last year, Jude Law was on the route.  I was really surprised that the run took place last year as it was snowy to a level that I would have struggled to get there.  Stories about "undulations" didn't encourage me - I'm learning that at I'm at my best on the flat - but more of that later.

No weather issues this year - unseasonably glorious sunshine and almost wind free - and thanks to Dee, I had a last minute place.

Rachel let me & Louise persuade her that we needed to be there ridiculously early - more runners than before combined with picking up race numbers - but this did mean a lovely close parking spot and short loo queues.  We found nearly all the SRS runners with the exception of Tanya.

And time to admire Rachel's "sports bag" that brought a rare touch of glamour to the utilitarian pre-race activity in the sports hall.  And to admire the auto close gizmo on the fire doors that kicked in as the cafe set off the fire alarm on a regular basis.

Finally got running - and we all opted to funnel onto the pavement at 2K, sacrificing speed for the sake of not running the remaining 8K in soggy socks - the only flooded bit of the course.  I ran with Rachel - our pre agreed plan.  Ref those undulations - it wasn't dead flat, but to be honest, I expected a higher level of hilliness.

I felt for the marshals who seemed to be dealing with some very impatient drivers - it's only about 1 hour, once a year & there is plenty of notification about the road closures.   It was well organised with a welcome drinks station.  Nice work Stubbington Green Runners!

The star of the course was the scenery - especially the bit along the coast which looked stunning in the sunshine.   I found it interesting as it's not a bit of Hampshire I know very well - and it was a mixture of farmland and housing as well as the seaside.


Very pleased to be cheered in by Louise and Claire D.  We passed the favour onto Claudia and Dee - but missed Tanya as we weren't completely sure she'd run.

Dee is marathon training so set off to repeat the route on completion to get the right length long run - most impressive!

No medal, but none expected.  We were however expecting a mug at the end - but instead got microfibre tubes resembling those bearing the brand name "Buff".  Pleased me as a Buff user - but I don't think Lou was too impressed.  Still, she could have picked up a mug bearing last year's details as they were available too - because of the snow in Jan 2013, they didn't arrive in Stubbington on time.  Long queue for baggage collection is the only criticism we could levy at SRG's organisation - and even that was dealt with.

Nice 10K, worth doing!

Results:

1. Dawn H 49:16 (sadly, her last run with SRS)
2. Claire Deacon 51:59
3. Jo C 57:04
4. Louise 61:26
5. Suzanne 63:23
6. Gin 63:21
7. Rachel B 63:21
8. Dee 64:59
9. Claudia 69:16
10. Tanya 70:03