The Marlborough Downs Challenge was at the end of a weeks holiday for me. This was either going to prove a disadvantage, as I was spending the week climbing mountains and mountain biking (hence was likely to tire myself out) or an advantage having the chance to recee some of the route by bike. Luckily the later proved true.
Having never been down to the area before I was impressed at how stunning the scenery was. Very different to the normal rugged mountain areas of northern England and Wales I am used to running in, but full of beautiful rolling hills, swathes of bluebells, wild garlic and the odd white horse or two on the hillside.
Come race day I woke early to perfect weather – slightly overcast, dry and no wind. I shovelled down some porridge and headed down to Marlborough College where the race started from. There were lots of new faces at registration and it was nice to meet Martin from the team for the first time. Quick check of the race route and then it was time for the off. I’m still new to ultra running so find it hard to judge how quick one must start – although one of the leading men did set off at what looked like 5K pace! By West Woods I had settled into a nice rhythm and really enjoyed the sight of the bluebells – noted to be one of the best displays in Southern England. It was then a matter of running along the ridges of Knap Hill and Tan Hill before dropping into Bishops Canning to get my head down, grit my teeth and try to get the 5K section along the Kent and Avon Canal completed as quick as I could. It was nice to have company along this section and to pass numerous “sensible” people on their early Saturday morning canal stroll. Being known as a fell runner, a lot of people had questioned my trip down to Marlborough asking me “are there any hills down there?” Well the course was quite hilly in the latter half, although still very runnable. The climb up Roundway Hill after Devizes was a nice change to the fast flat running along the canal and I had a well earned banana handed to me. I was also offered a lift by some guys in an off road Landrover. This was very tempting when my legs were aching but I sadly declined only to be covered in dust as they sped off. One of the highlights of the race was seeing Stoodley Pike of the south – Cherhill Monument! Not only did it remind me the Haworth Hobble race but it was also a target for the next 40 minutes or so. It was very satisfying when I finally reached it as I knew I was on the home leg – although a long leg it was to be! The last third of the race was a mixture of ridge running, seeing the delightful historic village of Avebury, pretending I was a race horse along the gallops and trying to catch as many of the 20 mile race competitors as I could.Crossing the finish line we were all rewarded with an authentic Marlborough Downs challenge mug from the White Horse Pottery.
The mens race was won by Allen Smalls in a new race record of 3.51.33, He was followed by Paul Fernandez and Stuart Mills in 2nd and 3rd position. I won the ladies race and was chuffed to also set a new course record time of 4.20.13 Sarah Rowell was 2nd and Sue Sleath 3rd.
The Marlborough Downs challenge was a great event. Organisation was faultless, weather fantastic and the route was very memorable.
