GLOUCESTER SPORTS BLOG

Chedworth 10 mile Trail Race

Took part in the Chedworth 10 mile multi-terrain race in the beautiful Cotswolds countryside on Sunday, as we were retailing at the event! As usual, I left it to the last minute to enter (9.51am for a 10am start!) so distinct lack of warm-up meant the first mile on the road felt quite quick!

Started off nice and steady in the chase group as the chap from Cirencester AC went off really hard like he normally does, I've raced against him in the past. Onto the start of the off-road and some sloppy muddy paths, I was swapping places continually with two other guys as the leader pulled away. Along some undulating paths and the leader was 120m clear, with the other two pulling away from me slightly as I suddenly found I was breathing a bit too hard, bearing in mind we still had 7 miles to go! Sharp left and a slight incline allowed me to catch the other two, followed the perimeter of a few fields and a steep uphill meant I went past the two guys and into a clear second. I could now see the leader as I knew he wasn't so good on the hills and he seemed to be constantly looking round to see who was where.

We had a nice downhill stretch towards the halfway point and the infamous stream crossing (see pic below), nice and chilly but as a steeplechaser I should be used to it. I was closing on the leader and had the gap to about 30-40m but I knew we had some uphill to come, turned left on a field and a long climb to the top corner and by the top I was right on him, he didn't look happy. I was happy to let him stretch away again slightly but closed when we got onto the forest path. A nice mile or so on good terrain before a left and the start of the long climb. I made my move and tried to glide past him as we went up through the gulley. The uphill always seems to go on forever but by the top I was 50m clear and feeling confident. Legs were feeling heavy but I knew I needed to push on and try and get him to lose interest.

Along the fields and then downhill back into the forest, nearly stacked it in the mud, sharp left again and the final climb. Legs were hurting and lungs were burning but this was my final chance to get away. Massive relief when I got to the top so started striding out along the muddy paths back towards the road. A quick glance behind told me that he had given up and so I could afford to relax along the final road section and into the finish.

Really pleased with my run, surprised myself with how strong I was bearing in mind my limited mileage. It's all about quality not quantity! Got two bottles of wine, £20 and a massive golden shoe trophy for my efforts, a good day all round! Happy running