Serpent Trail, Petersfield

[Granspeed]

EDiIT Just realised I could add a picture - it’s the view of Race HQ and the Finish that runners got as they emerged from the woods.

OH and I were bag-minders for the local Running Daughter and her pal who ran the HM at this event yesterday. I’m posting because it was such a lovely event, and some of the longer-running brigade might like to know about it.

Hosted by Petersfield Rugby Club and organised by Freedom Running. Everything was impeccable, from organisation to parking to atmosphere. There was a 10k, the HM, and (eek) a 50k and (gulp, gulp) a 100k. Runners came at an appointed time & were bussed out to their start; then they ran home along the Serpent Trail. Our runners reported a varied, not too hilly, trail with good water & fruit stations along the way. Good thing, as it was hot, hot, hot.

Back at base we sat in the shade & enjoyed the family atmosphere, lack of razzmatazz and our picnic. Each runner emerging from the woodland for the short run-in was greeted by ringing cowbells, clapping & cheering from we few spectators, and all the usual recovery bits. And medals, of course!

We saw the HM and 10k runners in and the first of the 50k. Clever timing of the starts gave everybody moments of glory. Much to be recommended to longer runners, I think.

Oh yes - loads of parking, field camping with a breakfast caravan, and a great coffee van! 😊👍

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Thank you for that Granspeed. We live close by and will investigate that. I assume it was a trail shoe race - I am going to have to get some. It was very hot at our parkrun in Southsea yesterday so I imagine Petersfield was the same.

[Granspeed Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Yes, definite trail conditions, tho’ our daughter ran in her “regular” run shoes which are road & said it was fine. But conditions were dry.

The heat yesterday felled several runners who didn’t adapt their pace sufficiently, but the race organisers & medics were right on it. Phone numbers were apparently on the back of race numbers - don’t know if that’s usual, but it was a good thing!

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Granspeed]

Yes putting next of kin on race numbers is normal practice. Have you signed up for your first race yet?

[Granspeed Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Don’t think I’m much of a racer, but I really enjoyed this venue & the way it was managed, so never say never.... 😊

These race numbers had medical number & race organiser number printed on the back, as well as writing in your own emergency contact.

[Stephen_UK Graduate10]

Nice report. Sounds like a great event.

[Jogunlikely]

That's good to know as eyeing up the 10k as a possible target for next year. It's just up the road and a buddy lives in petersfield so I might rope her in 😁

[RunRunRun13 Graduate10 in reply to Jogunlikely]

That sounds like a good plan - we could do a C25K summer meet up for people nearby 🏃‍♀️🤔🏃‍♂️

[Jogunlikely in reply to RunRunRun13]

Yay that would be fun 👍🎉

[RunRunRun13 Graduate10 in reply to Jogunlikely]

I will bring the wine and cheese 🤣🏃‍♀️

[Granspeed Graduate10 in reply to RunRunRun13]

That might persuade even me to run! 😄👍

[RunRunRun13 Graduate10]

Sounds perfect and very close to me so will have to check it out & look when the next 10K one is...currently up to 7K with Ju-Ju’s plan so not far off and the trail sounds great 🏃‍♀️

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

Sounds amazing.

[Lavender1962 Graduate10]

Sounds like a great event!

[LittleNell83]

It was hot. I did the half marathon.

I finished but much slower than wanted and I must have walked half of it as the heat was making me feel ill. The tarmac was melting on the roads at one bit.

The event was well organised with water, juice and coke at the drink stations.

I rubbed more than normal on the run which I think was the heat.

Thank you for volunteering I do appreciate the Marshall and people who help out at these events. And I can say they were good at checking you out at stops to make sure you were okay.

Nell

[Debston Graduate10]

Sounds like a great event, well done you for volunteering!

[Katnap Graduate10]

Fantastic! And 50k runners too!

😺 Katnap 🐱

[Granspeed Graduate10 in reply to Katnap]

And some 100k runners. 😮 But they remain mythical to me, as they had started before we arrived and we left before they started to appear back. Amazing folk.

[Katnap Graduate10 in reply to Granspeed]

I can do the getting started at silly o'clock but I struggle after 10miles. Big respect! 💪 to all the runners and to you! 😁

[Granspeed Graduate10 in reply to Katnap]

Nothing needed to me - I was bag watching only. But those runners - wow. And it was hot, hot, hot. 😅🌞