Thank you to Andy Wadsworth for this write up of a challenging race. Hopefully one to see some more Sparkhill Harriers at next year!
Worcester AC promotes this longstanding annual event based in Great Malvern, the Worcestershire Beacon being the highest point in the Malvern Hills. Unusually (although like most cross country races) this is a Saturday afternoon race, however it presents a rather different challenge.
The promotional material provides the following background information ‘An all-terrain race over the Malvern Hills – a tough event affording spectacular views! Not for the faint-hearted and definitely not a fun run!’ Just to emphasise the point a later paragraph says ‘The race is approximately 7 miles and uses tracks and paths on the Malvern Hills; climbing to the highest point at 1395ft. the course provides magnificent views (weather permitting) over Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Shropshire and Wales. The route is very demanding with some steep ascents and descents over varying, and unstable surfaces. Please ensure you are fit and able to compete in this type of event – this is not a fun run.’
Well yes magnificent views. However, for reasons I will explain later I did not properly appreciate these. The race is limited to just 250 runners and is offered at the very reasonable price of £16 for UKA affiliate members, one of the budget friendly aspects of participating in local club promoted events.
With Barry now being Malvern based, I persuaded him to join me on the starting line, always good to have a fellow club member involved. Reading the description my first dilemma was what footwear I should use. Never really a difficult choice for track, road or cross country (unless the surface is frozen) but here a variable surface seemed a dead cert guarantee. I opted for some reasonably heavy duty trail shoes with studs and a rock plate, but was nervously looking at other runners footwear from collecting my number at race HQ and walking up to the start about five minutes’ walk away.
Weather wise reasonable temperatures of around 14 degrees centigrade, although I did wonder what changes to expect at the hill top, (wind chill factors etc.) however reassured myself after noticing most runners clad only with vests, although did spot a few wearing gloves!
On the starters gun, a sprint start ensued, the reasons for which soon became apparent, a couple of pinch points, especially at some zig zags on a single file sharp incline where once one person starts to walk the rest have no choice, this though would not be the first walking section, although Barry had assured me the course was fully runnable! Very early in the race the only true grassy muddy section of about 100m was encountered, although it was run again retracing steps to the finish, the shoe studs gave me great grip. My trust in them was building.
The course did not have many flat sections at all, climbs or descents a plenty, initially through woodland rocky trails, and then once the open hillside was reached on a good surface suitable for road shoes. Once the Beacon summit was skirted a rocky descent followed, my rock plate coming into its own, (essentially giving additional protection for your feet from pointed rocks). Whilst gravity assisted speed on these descents, to avoid a tumble constant focus was required on where each footstep was placed, so many opportunities for a trip or fall, combine this with some loose surfaces on descents, full concentration was needed at all times, very difficult to relax into your running.
After a relatively level section circling the quarries, another sharp descent, then around the main spectator spot at St Ann’s Well, and returning back to the start point down the less crowded zig zags (once again being very careful regarding foot placement) and an opportunity to stretch ones legs on the flat final 200m or so to the finish.
Not a long race, overall distance of around 11.5kms or seven miles and as can be seen from my time above definitely not a quick race! I managed 70th place missing out on a very attractive age category prize by about 50 seconds and seven places, Barry came in in 80th place about a minute and a half afterwards. The first aiders were kept busy afterwards, with what looked like bumps and grazes from a few fallers, (which apparently and understandably is normal on this course)
Barry & I reflected on the race over delicious homemade cake and coffee at the prize-giving afterwards, amazed that the first person back had clocked only just over 46 minutes, he was though somewhat younger than either of us.
A great test, and a very different race, well marshalled throughout, highly recommended for those wanting a different type of racing challenge.
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