I have run this race lots of times and never under 50 minutes. It's definitely not a fun run (although I do enjoy it in a funny sort of way). The course is downhill through a fairly busy shopping area, past a garden centre until a sharp left turn where you encounter a ford. Yes, water. The depth varies, of course, depending on the recent rainfall. Immediately you have a choice: be a wimp and go round on the bridge, or be bold and brave and splash on through. Guess what I chose? Well, my Asics prefer to stay dry.
Then, it's uphill and more up hill until you return to the start and then go round again for a second lap. Masochism.
This was a must do race for me as it was my last chance to complete eight races for the club as part of the Sussex Grand Prix challenge. Haywards Heath Harriers hope to retain the champions' cup we won last year and the result is in the balance!
I finished in 54.35 and met up with Carolyn, a J and M runner.
Walking back to collect our belongings, Carolyn mentioned that she had a spare ticket for the Advent Service at St Paul's cathedral that evening and invited me to go with her. Carolyn's husband, John, is a chorister at St Paul's and sang the tenor solos at the service. It was a fantastic experience. a really beautiful service and I felt privileged to be there. We had great seats, at the front, right under the dome.
You see running can take you to all sorts of places.....
Back to the race - here is a pic of random harriers. Tom is still hanging around as he came an amazing second and had to wait to receive his award. The HHH men's team came first and it was great to see Amanda Soper back running following her foot operation.
Then, it's uphill and more up hill until you return to the start and then go round again for a second lap. Masochism.
This was a must do race for me as it was my last chance to complete eight races for the club as part of the Sussex Grand Prix challenge. Haywards Heath Harriers hope to retain the champions' cup we won last year and the result is in the balance!
I finished in 54.35 and met up with Carolyn, a J and M runner.
Walking back to collect our belongings, Carolyn mentioned that she had a spare ticket for the Advent Service at St Paul's cathedral that evening and invited me to go with her. Carolyn's husband, John, is a chorister at St Paul's and sang the tenor solos at the service. It was a fantastic experience. a really beautiful service and I felt privileged to be there. We had great seats, at the front, right under the dome.
You see running can take you to all sorts of places.....
Back to the race - here is a pic of random harriers. Tom is still hanging around as he came an amazing second and had to wait to receive his award. The HHH men's team came first and it was great to see Amanda Soper back running following her foot operation.