Buntingford 10 - Last run of the year
28/12/2009 - 10 Miles
The last race of the year and a nice little 10 miler.
Organised by Royston Running Club and has a good reputation so I was looking forward to it. Also, a lot of the Trent Park Running Club members run it so lots of support.
The info that came with the number said you had to be there by 9:30am or you would not be able to run. The start was at 10:30am so this seemed over the top. However, as it was my first time I decided to arrive early to make sure there where no issues.
The morning was bitterly cold, it had been hovering around 0 all week and there was talk of the race being called off due to the icy conditions. Arrived just after 9:00am and walk up to the hall to collect my chip. There was hardly anyone around however, Mick and Phil the Marathon Lads where there.
As I hung around more and more people turned up. Several from Trent Park. I walked back to the car to dump my layers and followed people around to the start which is supposed to be a 10 min walk. Actually more like 5 mins. Found the start and did a bit of a warm up. Stood around at the start waiting for the off, the road was not closed so we had to make way for cars as we waited. As I moved to the side to let a car try and work its way through the crowd the gun went off! Walked around the car and tried to settle into a pace. Not so easy as I seemed to be bunched up with a large group of slower runner.
As the field spread out around the 2 mile mark I spotted a few people from Trent Park that I normally run with so I set off to catch up and pace along with them.
By the 4 mile mark I had caught and passed some of my club mates and arrived at the first water station. Plastic cup! I hate plastic cups. Took off my gloves and grabbed a cup then walked whilst I drank it as I can not run and drink without getting it down my front. Ok in the summer but sub zero not a good idea. As I was walking and putting my gloves back on someone hit my on the elbow and shouted "Come on". I knew it was Jo, so I went off after her.
By the 6 mile mark the consent up hill seem to finish and the course flatted out. Had passed Jo and settled in behind another club member. He seemed to be slowing down so I passed him and spotted another one in the distance. Stopped at the next water station and set off again. Had to stop and take my hat off and getting hot now. Passed my a club member who asked if I was ok. I was so I set off after him, tried to keep him in sight as I had passed him once but he had up the game and was getting away from me.
As we decended back into the town, couple of twist and turns and in site of the finish, Over the line in a time of 1:24:39 a new PB.