Fortunately the rain had stopped but it was still windy and the temperature had dropped back a few degrees, meaning there were some icy sections on the roads and paths around the village. After registering and getting the timing chip, it was time for a warmup to check out the hill section before joining the other 400 people at the starting field at 11:30.
After a consertina start, the field started to spread out up the long uphill stretch away from the village. The Kenyan hill session probably helped as this isn’t steep but carries on for for first 2k before getting the downhill repayment and some steady lap splits 4:23, 4:27, 4:27, 4:28, which was a bit quicker than normal but still feeling good.
After about 6.5Km, the route heads onto a landrover/tractor track which was a bit wet and muddy with icy bits but the central grass section was firm and still runnable, however its got a slight climb again before dropping back to the road for the rest of the route back to the village and a short double back section before crossing the finish and getting the timing chip printout.
Net time – 0:48:21
Position – 156
So, a new PB to start the year 🙂
Report by: Neil Purdie