Eridge 10-mile Trail, 2010

Event details | Results

The Eridge 10 miler, cross country is near Tunbridge Wells,Kent. Runners’ World readers voted it THE most popular race in the U.K. We were later to hear (at the Prize Giving that The Observer had it down as the most popular race in Europe,would you believe?).Why not just say THE WORLD and be done with it?

So,it was just down the road – well if you are near Tonbridge – it’s just down the road.to Eridge Park, a private estate, for some serious cross country of a Sunday morning. Had heard about this one a few years ago so it was about time to have a crack at it and of course have a long week-end away. Billed as proper cross country and organised by Tunbridge Wells Harriers (ex club of one G.T.Neighbour, who some will know, of the no training variety, then races and blows away 90-95 % of the field. what chance have you got,I ask you0 Would he even race this time,as injury had near crippled him with the old attack of the Plantars (Plantar Fascitis).See below for the answer,or perhaps not.

This was to be serious cross country and it did not disappoint.This was hard, damn hard, no let up, serious hills one after another, bogs to try and avoid the worst so you did’nt face plant etc.So after the temperatures going back to high summer in Glasgow at the start of the month,what would it do in Kent,where it is usually 5,7, or even 10 degrees warmer than Glasgow? Well, it was distinctly chilly & grey looking in the days before the race. Race day arrived with bright blue skies and hot,not just warm. Hot,damn hot. Damn.Well ,have used the quote before so can’t repeat it? The resident DJ Adrian Cronaur " What’s the weather going to be like today HOT, DAMN HOT. Hi soldier what’s your name – Bob from Artillery – what you want to hear? ANYTHING, JUST PLAY IT LOUD" That’s my sixth excuse – too darn hot. No,No you don’t want to hear the rest,even if, like anyone I could cook up the old excuses. No what you want to hear is a lucid,informative,amusing account of a race to really make you dash off to do it yourself. Well, you’re certainly not going to get that here. Best stop reading now. You always get a sense of whether a readership is loyal and friendly. GOODNIGHT.

If there is anyone out there? it was an excellent day in Eridge park with hundreds of runners(reliably informed 535 finished). The consensus was that there was no let up on this course: up and down continually,and some very steep hills at that. The bogs were boggy,naturally, i.e. not man made as in the Saab Salomon Turbo X – which I’m sure you will be doing again this year Sunday 10th October. TW harriers have named a lot of the features; e.g. Cheeky’s Bog, after Alan Cheek,Race Directer. He and his team did a marvellous job on Sunday,laid on all the post-race requirements including a free beer tent (well,no not the actual tent,for goodness sake).We were informed that beer is the best post-race recuperative on the market. We certainly did not argue with that. So Cheeky and his gang of helpers doing a great job and giving out the prizes just happened to mention the running shoes, kit, etc. came from The Running Hub Shop,Southborough,(nr.TW),that’s his shop.From then,it just slipped 3,4 ,7 times,to visit The Running Hub, Southborough, on and on……………Winning the V70 prize,the guy was asked – Where d’you get your jacket – to be told before he could answer -The Running Hub, Southborough.

So, put off the results long enough???How did WE perform? Suppose some sort of training may just help? Steady,steady. Well our Mr.G.T. did start (he was a bit iffy before race day) 2 – 3 miles in the pain got too much, but like the trooper he is, actually finished the course. Most would have said sod it, and trundelled off to the beer tent. So,well done Gary. Other TW harriers that should have been,or expected there, were Derek(an ultra runner). What no Derek – oh that’s poor – can’t do a 10 miler on his doorstep? No he’s only doing a 100 miler .WHAT? a 100 mile race over the Downs,started 10 a.m. Saturday, probably finishing when we were finishing. For goodness sake – had to go and get another beer to recover from the mere thought of that race.

Talking of going…………..this has gone on long enough you say. Again, just give this race a go if you are anywhere near the S.E. of the country,or even if not, make a special trip. You will not be disappointed. Plus,if you are fit,and put in the training,you may actually enjoy it.

Thanks again to Cheeky and his helpers from Tunbridge Wells Harriers – great day out – with weather – splendiferous ,to make up a word.

1.04 J. Rendall,first man

1.14 T.Oldershaw, first woman

1.27 H. Semple

1.41 G.Neighbour

535 finished.