********* UPDATE *********
Photos and results now available here.
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The emphasis post race was expected to be on the ‘stagger’ as Adrian, Steve and Gary headed along the M6 towards an area known as ‘The Black Country’.It got its name from the dirty heavy industry that once dominated the area, but we questioned whether the colour of the mud had more to do with it. We discussed tactics, target times and speculated on the state of the course like a group of excited kids on a school trip to Alton Towers and soon enough we’d arrived. Time for a quick walk round, assess the start and finish areas, warm up and then ladies and gentlemen take your places please. We were off! A quick lap of the park with a cheeky little steep climb and downhill then headed out across a golf course and finally onto some trails.
The evergreen Steve Fowler was leading the South Derby charge, although we were all quite closely grouped, often catching up with each other & chatting to keep spirits high. There were some tough sections in the first half and the uphill trails were more like gullies with high sides, a little too narrow to easily pass and ankle deep in black mud. For some less professional runners in road running shoes ‘Bambi on Ice’ is the best way to describe their running style. Other parts were wide muddy sections followed by fairly dry hard gradual downhills.
On we ran in the open now as momentum was stalled as we met a stile and turned up a very steep hill. Not many managed to run completely to the top but once there the sun was out and the views took your mind off your throbbing legs. ‘Well done South Derby, keep a going’ says a marshal to Ade. ‘Thanks very much’ he replies, looking back he sees Steve reach the top and the same marshal. ‘Well done South Derby, hurry up your mates only just up there’ and this is how the South Derby contingent was warmly welcomed and encouraged around the course.
Towards the 6th mile we ran through a small village and headed up the last uphill slog. This again was a gulley deep in mud, but wide enough to pass other runners, all runners shouted out encouragement to ‘Keep going, don’t stop! Many a shoe must have been left in there and as the hill progressed the strength sapping mud took its toll, as some runners had given in to just walking to the top, but not us. This was it though; the hardest part done and near enough downhill all the way back. You could see the golf course and some houses so we knew that we were getting near. We upped the tempo for the last mile and a half and then you could hear the cheering.
Ade crossed the road with a sharp right through the park gates, quick check over his shoulder, no one catching him then sprinted in, focused on the race clock and across the line. Watch time of 1:28:22 (target sub 1hour 30mins). He collected his embroided towel and then straight back to watch for the others. Then into the finishing straight came Steve, ‘Go Steve, nearly there. Come on!’ Ade shouted. His legs were completely covered in mud as if he had waded through a bog, but he gritted his teeth and drove himself on. Another ‘minty’performance of 1:29:04. Both met up as Gary came sprinting round the corner like a man possessed with a steely look of determination in his face. Encouragement to the end is what we pride ourselves on and that is what we did. 30 metres to go ‘Come on Gary, go, go, go, he’s catching you.’ 20 metres ‘ Faster he’s on your shoulder, go, go, go!’ we both shouted with anxious voices, he was level with us now and just 10 metres to the line ‘Faster keep going, go on, go!’. As he passed us by our heads turned and followed him to the line in perfect synchronization. He crossed the line, his place safe in a time of 1:32:24. The spectators next to us laughed as they knew as well as us that the closest runner to him was about 20metres behind. We gathered up with smiles and congratulatory handshakes, as we had all run our best and another great XC adventure was over. The three black mud stained folk from South Derbyshire then made their way back across Mary Stevens Park to the car knowing they would return again.
This was an enjoyable event longer than most cross country races which we all recorded as 10.2 miles, with great support all the way round the course. Facilities were good, water stations, lots of parking and even a shower block! Sorry if the times are not 100% accurate its best I could remember because as of 05/02/2014 there still are no official times or race positions available. Well done to Gary and Steve, hopefully we can repeat this again next year and maybe bring along a couple more of you!
Written by Adrian Middleton
