Couples Handicap - 11/6/2009
2x 5Km
Similar to the normal Trent Park 5Km handicap but run as a couple. You don't pick your own partner, they pick one for you. The idea being that overall the last runners should all finish at the same time. Therefore, a slow runner is partnered to a fast runner and two middle pace runners are pair together. Great idea and a great way to socialise as it is on Thursday night.
I signed up as an individual as they said they would match me up with a partner based on our estimated completion times. I was match with with Keith Murphy who it turns out is pretty quick. I, being the slower runner, was the A runner and Keith the B runner. With our combined time I would start at 13:15.
As I waited to start there was a great atmosphere. Then it was off time and time to get serious.
We where doing the anti-clockwise route which means you have a long slow up hill about 1Km in that is around 1.5Km long. I decided to try and get ahead in the first Km and then try and stay there. I passed several people in the first Km and surprisingly managed to pass a few on the hill. The lady who went off at the same time had caught me by the top of the hill so I tried to keep with her put she was just too quick up cottage hill. Along the pineapple I was able to catch a few more people and handed over to Keith. Checked my watch and was 1:30 under my personal best so a time of 24:25. Keith was quick and was second across the line.
Back to the club house to wait for the results and we where second and a £10 voucher for our trouble so well worth it.