What a day for a run in the countryside, sun was out, a cool breeze and there's me taking on the Clanfield Challenge for the first time! What a surprise when I went to pick up my number from the registration tent, the field had stalls all around and a pre race motivator getting the children warmed up before there 1 & 2k races started and loads of people mingling and chatting, it was a great atmosphere!
With the children's races over it was now time for us to line up at the start line for our 12k around the Southdowns. There was a good turn out of runners and its surprising how many people you bump into at these events. I was with a group of friends, even though we started together it wasn't long before we got separated and went at our own speeds.
The first 2-3 miles were all up hill and it was clear why the run is called a challenge, it was heaven when we reached the Southdowns Way as this was the top, fairly flat and downhill for a while. A bit of respite for a mile or so before we encountered another incline, this didn't go on for to long and was quite manageable. We ran along footpaths and around the edge of fields what a great way to spend a Sunday morning it was shear heaven and I thoughly enjoyed it!
Respite again with another downhill section and when one of the marshals says you are on the home leg I thought great but low and behold we faced another incline before we could settle for the flat run in to the finish. I bet them marshals had a little snigger to themselves. Through the finish line and picked up my medal, t-shirt and goody bag, wandered around and met up with my running friends. What a surprise from when we left this field, it now had live music playing a beer tent and food stalls in addition to what was there before, the atmosphere was great!
All in all it was a great day, I set my set a target of 1hr 15, but like a plonker forgot to switch my watch as I went through the finish line, but even when I did remember it showed 1hr 10, so I'm thrilled to bits with that. Looking forward to getting the accurate times now, will I enter this again, you betcha!
Hope Hilary and Ian did well in their respective races today and everyone else had a great weekend!