‘I’ve got us a great pitch, loads of space for all of us and not far from the Conkers lot!’ says a damp Andy Orme. He had been waiting for 30 minutes for the gates to open to the Adidas 24hr Thunder Run as the drizzle had been steadily falling. Once allowed in he was off with his 300 steps a minute cadence, barrier tape in hand, mission: to find and secure our pitch for the weekend for all three SDRR teams. We drove onto Catton Park in the now increasingly heavier rain, unloaded the gear which could have filled a Go-Outdoors warehouse and set up base camp for our three teams. Looking across the field it was just like the XC season, but on an epic scale with team flags, banners, tents and gazebo’s going up everywhere. A huge black inflatable Start/Finish arch split the camp in half surrounded by numerous facilities: a Bus Bar, shower block, Adidas store, Silva head torch stand, café with live updated running times and positions. This was going to be something special!
Most of us spent a comfortable night’s sleep at home avoiding the persistent rain and gradually throughout Saturday morning all met at base camp. The fields had swelled in size with more tents now reaching the perimeter fences, groups of runners walking around sporting club tops, some in fancy dress and enjoying what was now a glorious festival sunny morning. Time was flying by and heading towards the 12:00pm start, so our first set of runners prepared themselves and the mighty SDRR were ready to do battle with the Thunder Run.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and they were off! A huge group, 20m wide headed off like a charge out of Braveheart, to the sounds of cheering, shouting, clapping and air horns, the race was on. A short flat grassy ½ mile started the lap off and James Cassidy hits it like the Olympic 100m before heading up into the forest. The previous day’s rain had done its job by reducing the tracks to grip less swathes of mud. For the unprepared it was a nightmare, people sliding sideways on every corner, falling over, sapping the energy from those keen, fresh legs, energy they would they would sorely miss later in the event. After just over 2km you were warmly greeted with encouragement as you re-enter the camping area. Glen and Kat Smith were the first voices we heard spurring us on with our mud covered legs. Then out the other side for a short, root avoiding section and a steady flat grassy field taking us to the 2 mile point.
Turn right and heading up hill on an open field with people groaning on their way up, an elevation Chris Pearson doesn’t even acknowledge as he motors past. He reaches the top and quickly descends into the forest at a blistering pace. Navigating the sharp turns, roots, mud and trees before another uphill climb and descent. This delivers us out to a stable surface heading straight down and back up the other side of a hedge and onto a hard track. Those XC trainers now punishing your feet as they have no cushioning, each lug shocking your feet and ankle with every stride you take. Then to the ‘Conti Climb’ a 100m timed sprint up a grassy field after you have run 5km. Boom Andy Hawtin is off, trying his hardest to win his team a pair of trainers (each that is!) for the fastest split time. Soon after Christine Hawtin arrives and propels herself flat out up hill. Both Hawtins did superbly, Andy securing 15th place in 16.15’s, Chrissy 41st with 18.10’s, which was the second fastest lady. Then its Dan Dawe’s turn and puts in an equally impressive 16.20’s giving him 18th place.
After that you continue uphill no time to stop and back to the forest with another descent which ends with a cheeky steep dip and you’re out at the 6km point. Gerry O’Brien looks to his right to see the spectacle below of the sprawling campsite, then powers up passing numerous runners as he goes. A short cut through the forest and right, Shane Chapman blasts along the path gaining valuable time and places then back into the forest. Ade Middleton’s favourite part a tight zig-zagging section over roots, stumps on a saw dust covered floor calling ahead to runners ‘Keep to left’ as he passes by then a long uncontrolled fast descent.
Up ahead through the tunnel of trees lies is what will be forever known as ‘Orme Ridge’, but the small climb to get there humbles many of those on the way. ‘Keep going, don’t stop, nearly there’ says the voice in your head as you drive your arms and legs to the top and out of the forest. Andy Orme now on flat open ground passes his own motivational statement as he heads to 8km knowing he’s won a pair of trainers, but working out how he can hide the sign under his vest on his last lap! Down we head the worst behind us, one last descent Steve Fowler relishes on every lap before heading into camp at the 9km point. Cheered along from here to the end familiar faces appear, Jon Mayman, Simon Reynolds, James Cobb with their teams waiting their turn. Then a loud cheer as you pass the SDRR base camp Sam and Mark Skidmore, Nikki Reeves and Tracey Glover. Paul Chapman grabbing some vital rest before readying himself for his go. An inner energy takes over as the finish comes into sight, wrist band off and ready for the crucial changeover. Frantically looking for your team mate so not to lose any time as you approach the finish at flat out sprint pace. Then you spot them as they are calling you, you just look and focus at their arm, slap the baton on and they are off. You stagger off out of the changeover area and recover, first lap done.
The running gets tougher and the sleep never comes, so running on empty, totally fatigued, becomes unavoidable. Many out on the course are jogging or walking trying their best not to stop as you soon seize up and starting again becomes ever more difficult. For some a night run is a new experience but not a pleasant one when you have already run four laps. Although some roots are painted in illuminous paint the forest is treacherous with tired eyes and heavy legs. Only your memory of the previous laps can safely get you round. Valuable advice from Gerry to learn as much in the light as possible. The site of dawn breaking across the fields is special no matter how bad you feel. The dark becoming orange and that glow grows into light and with a happiness knowing that the next day is here and the event will end, but in 7 hrs time.
Everyone now is exhausted, tired and aching, but no complaints are heard about not carrying on. So on we go not knowing if each of us will finish their lap or how long it may take. The finishers return looking pale and weak, but then Andy Hawtin is escorted in totally exhausted and collapses into a chair. Hot drinks, energy gels and a banana gradually brings him back, but a humbling experience for us all to see a friend in this condition knowing he has given everything for his team. At this point Andy’s team are in third place and need one more lap to secure it. That’s means someone will need to run a 7th lap, ‘I’ll do it’ says Gerry without a second thought. As he got changed so did the weather and down it poured as he made his way to the changeover area. Chris came into sight finishing strong and Gerry was off again. We gathered short of the end so we could run Gerry in, but as he came into sight he was flying! Up the last climb and down onto the sawdust track to the finish line. He was going so fast no-one could keep up and he was over the finish line, done. Shortly after Shane followed out sprinting a few other competitors as he crossed the line.
The final standing were Men’s team of 5 cat, 3rd SDRR A+ (Andy H team) 31 laps, 24:00:27, 10th South Derbyshire Team A (Andy O team) 27 laps, 24:10:52 and Mix team of 5 cat, SDRR Crazies (Nikki Reeves team) 23 laps, 23:28:50
It’s hard to capture the physical hardships faced in this event like the stomach problems, fatigue, sleep deprivation, painful joints, sickness, but looking back what an awesome achievement by all who competed and completed. A huge thank you to all who came to help and support throughout the weekend, cooking, cleaning, bringing supplies and cheering us up when we were low. Thank you to all the 15 team members who made it a successful event for our club. They pushed themselves harder and further than what they thought they were capable of………….so what’s next then?
Adie Middleton
Adidas 24hr Thunder Run 2015
‘I’ve got us a great pitch, loads of space for all of us and not far from the Conkers lot!’ says a damp Andy Orme. He had been waiting for 30 minutes for the gates to open to the Adidas 24hr Thunder Run as the drizzle had been steadily falling. Once allowed in he wasContinue reading →
