The hills have suitable names but I can’t remember them. I will instead call them runny, walky and sort-of-runny.
For those that haven’t run it before, you leave Ripley to places which are up a hill from Ripley via runny. Runny then levels off after about two miles and as you think things like, ‘I wonder how far in front Tom is’ Tom runs by and you vaguely recall somebody mentioning the concept of pacing yourself. On the way to the bottom of walky, after about three miles, you get a second reminder from Chris. Because he reminds you with a grin .
Apart from the gradient, walky was great. A real reminder you were in a race as those around had to admit they needed to breath and, well: walk.
The rest was a comparative rest really. Some of the views were amazing. The final mile (like the first) was off road through woods and the fairly steepish decent ensured you kept concentrating.
Highlights at the finish included a spot of elbows that drew a great spontaneous ooohhhhh from the crowd and Ralph, who got round joggling with only five drops! Amazing.
Can a goody bag make up for a hill? Yes it can – fantastic long sleeved T-shirt, loads of chocolate and some pasta. What it can’t do is provide any sort of an excuse for decaffeinated tea!
position Male Post Female Post Age category Name Time
1 1 1 Ian Crampton – Durham City Harriers 00:56:51
23 1 1 Karen Pickles – Pudsey Pacers 01:03:52
Hyde Park Harriers
56 52 13 13 Tom Williams 01:08:28
98 193 24 Abinesh Gnanavelu 01:12:05
147 14 Chris Jones 01:14:47
217 26 6 Alison Boyle 01:18:53
222 29 9 Helen Williams 01:19:08
232 200 43 Richard Quinn 01:19:40
486 130 24 Vikki King 01:31:47
605 411 33 Ralph Kidner 01:37:41
757 288 55 Harpeet Bhambra 01:47:43
764 294 71 Kay Jefferies 01:48:22
809 320 35 Liz Jones 01:55:41
824 331 75 Jasbir Bangerh 02:02:28
Thanks to Dave, Jan, Alan, Debra, Andy and John for their support. Photos courtesy of John Hawkins can be found by clicking here. Photos courtesy of Ian Watson can be found by clicking here.
