I used this new race as a target to get me going again in January, and was disappointed to find it was full five weeks before the race. I put my name on the waiting list and relegated it to the back of my mind. Three weeks beforehand, an email arrived with news that the police had allowed another 50 places, and I was in. That’s one way to sharpen your focus!
The race was based at the Gaudet Luce Golfclub, a small, pleasant clubhouse almost under the M5, and used the lanes and quiet roads to the east of Droitwich. It took about an hour to drive there from Luston. Another couple of Marshalls on the parking would have helped prevent confusion, frustration and some mix-up, but we ended up in an orchard right by the portaloos!
Post-race was very organised, as we all ‘cashed in’ our sandwich vouchers at the bar. I’m told showers were available and the golf clubhouse would have provided more refreshment had we wanted. The goodie bag was useful, straightforward and much appreciated; I particularly like the fact that all ladies got a ‘lady fit’ T-shirt rather than a small men’s size! Provisional results were out promptly the next morning, usefully broken down into age category results as well, and photos were to follow that next evening.
I’d expected a fast field, and thus to be at the back. Research discovered it was a fast, flat course too, which would have been boring if I’d any clue of where I was! As it was, I learnt a lot about pace and mile times as I went round, as there was little to throw it out.
I was pleased to finish 204 th out of 282 runners; 40 th female out of 75 and 9 th out of 14 in the FV40 age category. Even better, I managed a PB of 1:54:30 ( Hereford outing was 1:57:54)!
Male Winner was Mark Hadley in 1:16:07
Female Winner was Myshola Kirkham in 1:24:07
Results are on http://www.droitwichac.co.uk/events_results.htm
Rachel