Off road, scenic, local, late start, inexpensive, friendly, well organised, and very challenging. Three options to participate: 33 mile run, 20 mile run and a sensible 20 mile walk. The luxury of a 10:30 start in Marlborough was not lost on us as we casually on-boarded the porridge. With a car full of all the usual back up clothing options, we just had to roll down the hill to the leisure centre.

It seems the average trail runner is slightly under fed and over enthusiastic. At the start line they split into those with minimal clothing and sticky legs whilst the others had raincoats and camelbaks. I think when one of them runs out of water they do in flight refuelling. No sign of Steve Scammell so assumed he was still tucked up in bed.

At the hooter,  there was the usual surge of enthusiasm and bonhomie although those with the local knowledge knew round the corner was Preshute Hill which would separate the runners from the survivors. Having established myself in the latter group we headed across the fields politely queuing to traverse the stiles and fences. Sarah was off chasing the sticky people.

Then it started raining. I guess ‘mind the livestock’ is a new way to say ‘beware of the bull’. The hay fever sufferers held their breath as we dropped through a head height rape field enroute to the West Woods. Entering the woods it soon became obvious that the going was very damp.

I could not drum up any sympathy for those who had chosen to slide round in their road racing flats – the clue was in the title ‘Trail’ run.  Keeping upright in the woods was a significant achievement which many did not achieve – all very entertaining. The rough terrain and excitement made it impossible to establish any steady pace or to restrain the heart beat to its efficient band. Exiting the woods we sploshed up the trail to Huish, through the wild garlic field and at last onto solid ground at the Tan Hill Way.

The view over the escarpment of  Pewsey and Devizes was spectacular if you could only open your eyes against the wind and rain. The people in front all appeared to be running with a distinct left hand lean into the wind and made a short diversion to the right with each gust. We had a small respite from this when we crested Tan Hill and dropped down to the car park for the second drink stop. Best not to stop as any momentum was necessary for the long climb up on to the Wansdyke Path.

I thoroughly recommend that you get out on this stretch of trail it is spectacular. Soft short sheep chewed grass, long hills slopes and great views. At this stage I was having a ball gradually picking off people that had already put in more effort than me. Unfortunately I was not yet half way and a bit early to peak. The 2.5 mile drop to Beckhampton may sound like a rest but the knees decided they preferred to go up hill and started complaining.

Started to pass some of the walkers who began at 9:15.

Waiting for a gap in the traffic at the Waggon and Horses was a short lived relief before plodding up to Yatesbury and joining the tourists in Avebury. This was definitely a low pointing for me the race in both enthusiasm and sugar.  Exiting Avebury I was faced with the long slow climb up the Wessex Ridgeway which I surprised myself by running. It did take me a long time to make any noticeable distance between myself and the walkers. Being so familiar with the last part of the route started to play against me as my mind had already gone ahead to the finish and there were still six miles to cover.

A revelation at the drink station of just how good Jaffa cakes can taste – I’ve been deprived of these since getting married. I never realised how hard and long running down hill from the reservoir to Marlborough could be. Eventually the back of Barton Park came into view, up and down the dip and relief at the leisure centre.  Ouch! A strange sensation as soon as I stopped like someone had plugged my knee into the mains. Note to self – must have a bit of a rest.  If you are looking for a great local challenge to train for in the first half of the year – this is it. Don’t go for the 33 mile event – that’s for crazy people. 

Then up popped Steve Scammell at the end of the 33 mile run looking fresh as a daisy.  Unfortunately he had not ingested the cheese and pickle sandwiches that Louise and Ellie had presented him with as he passed through Devizes. That may have produced interesting results.

 

Phil.  Total time 3 hours 24.