After the previous weekend’s rain, high winds and steep hills at Devil’s Bridge, last Sunday’s conditions were far more welcoming. Jasper & I ran in the Adidas 10k off-road in the Forest of Dean and found it extremely well-organised, in a good location with car parking & a modern toilet block 100 yards from the start/finish. The course was fast & fairly flat, very well marshalled, two laps of a 5K circuit on Forestry fire tracks. There were a few photographers around the circuit & photos were available online the next day. Timing chips were used, giving quick accurate results.
Jasper was allowed to race this distance because it was under triathlon rules. (The BTF have a much more realistic appreciation of youngsters’ abilities than UKA). We ran shoulder to shoulder from the gun until the beginning of the second lap, where he pulled away from me on the hill, which was not very steep, but went on for quite a way. Jasper finished 13th in a PB of 45m 02sec, I came 16th in 45m 51. This was good enough for me to win the Super Veteran category (50+), half minute in front of the second-placed MV 50. Jasper was awarded a special prize in recognition of his performance at his age.
The organisers were extremely friendly & very helpful. I must have looked like I was suffering crossing the finishing line, because one of the organisers came to me with a look of concern on her face and asked “Are you all right, sir? Can I get you a drink of water?”
We certainly would be happy to run in more of the several varied events that Trimax organise in the Cotswolds & the Forest of Dean.
