This is Mark Sykes talking to the assembled masses of Burgess Hill Runners and Haywards Heath Harriers outside the Victory Inn in Staplefield following the conclusion of the inaugural Ouse Valley Relay. Mark's brainchild was to run in teams the length of the Sussex Ouse Valley Way from Seaford Bay to Lower Beeding, 42 miles away. I decided that my leg would be event number 60. Slight problem was that no one else in my age group wanted to run and somehow I ran in the Senior Men's leg 6. Curiously I was given a two minute penalty for this - rules is rules I guess!
The Thursday before the event on Saturday, the Rixes, John and Marilyn, kindly offered to recce the course with me. We managed to get lost more than a couple of times, particularly in Nyman's Gardens, and also encountered a bull in one field (shock, horror) so the whole walk took us hours. On the day I wasn't feeling confident and Mike E offered to come with me as a 'minder'. Very kind of him. The weather on the day was beautiful and very warm.
HHH were the overall winners but one Burgess Hill team beat the rest. A really lovely day. In the end my leg (6.5 miles)took me nearly 30 minutes longer than Tom Mullen, but that did include another mistake in Nymans and a couple of stops to consult the map. Here I am with my 'minder':
The next day Sunday it was the Bishop's Park 10k. I went with all the Harbage family - Dave getting very excited about running next to the Fulham Ground. The park is lovely and very well used. It is right next to the river and Putney Bridge. There is a large children's playground and sandpit area. Also, a Sunday market was taking place so it all had a real buzz.
The race though was one of those 'charge a reasonable entry fee (£14) but let's keep the spending to a minimum' ones. Maybe I've just taken part in too many events and seen what can be provided (e.g. Bewl 15). The course was two laps of a football field and then four laps round the park. I was told I was 5th lady but no results published yet to check this. Small number of entries! I think Dave enjoyed it but found the heat a bit much. The marshals were very enthusiastic. I think they were the same people who supported at the Reigate Priory Park 10k back in February. Ben loved running around the park and the big sandpit was a great hit. Hope Jane and Libby enjoyed it too!
It's almost time for the Wakehurst Willow 8k. Will be good when this finally happens. .........