Wellingborough 10k
28th June 2009

Before I say anything else I have to say what a fantastic race it was!!! Well done to Tim Price who completed this endurance-testing course in 50.4 minutes and winning the Men's Second Place.

Having not felt too well the night before (not alcohol-related!), I decided to go down to the event thinking that if I felt the same when I got to the course I would sit and watch, or  if I began the race I could always drop out. But having done the Wellingborough Multi-Terrain series I didn't think I would have too much of a problem...........

It was a mass start with 10K, 20K and 30K runners all starting together for the loops on a 2K course. It was a downhill start, across a small gravel path an then I encountered the steepest hill I have ever see in a race before. I followed the other runners clambing up the side of it and grabbing onto any tree root or branch to help  pull them up. I found it hilarious watching them go up that there was no way that I was going to quit. I just couldn't stop laughing. Once at the top, one runner refused to go any further after seeing what we were to encounter next and summoned a marshall to come and get them. The downhill slide would have put any Health and Safety Officer into a mad panic, I even commented on it to another runner in between the giggles that I still had, even he was a little worried about going down it so I offered him a bit of assistance and said that we could always fall down it together! Fortunately there were a few trees that we could grab as we slid down. We then run along a couple of paths, wooden bridges, through the forest full of mud, water, tree roots and fallen branches, then up and down a few nice hills again. We had to run through the finish funnels for our particular distance so that the marshalls could tick off how many laps we had done.

Although a 2K course seems quite short, it didn't feel like we were on the same course as I encountered several trees that I hadn't grabbed before or mud that I hadn't fallen in before etc. etc. I also got stung by a wasp whilst allowing some of the quicker runners by. I am definately not one for hills in training or races and try to avoid them with a vengence, however, this course brought back childhood memories of exploring the forest with my friends whilst keeping our guard up for snakes, black bears and everything else that could be lurking out there. The race definately put the colour back into me and I loved every minute of it (wasn't even last!). I will definately do it again but will probably attempt the 20K or 30K next time.
 
Katarina

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