North Downs Run 30K 10.6.07

A quintessentially superb English tapestry of poppy fields to run through on your way up and down the Dowms. To say challenging- well, it dos’nt come close to describe it. An all “mothers & fathers” of a race might be more accurate,but keep reading if you really must know.

Why? Why go to Kent? Or why do a 30K. Well, a few days work back in Kent (exhausting of course-is he getting the excuses in already?),and just by way of rest & relaxation we thought well it’s the only race in Kent on the Sunday,so……

Preparation was monumentally comprehensive i.e. not a lot. Also, some of you have met Gary (Neighbour) it’s all his fault, who races after hardly running for months,and still comes in usually in the first batch of runners.

At this time of year it’s always a good 7 even 10 degrees warmer.This year it was’nt. Well, that’s not quite right. It was’nt untill Sunday,then it decided to just not gently toast us, but to unmercillessly fry the socks off us. Must have been 27 degrees soon after the start at 10.30.

So well over 400 runners started from the Leisure Centre in Gravesend in a Carnival like atmosphere. We were there a good 2

minutes before the off to allow for ample stretching & warm up run.

Off for a lap round the field before venturing out to deepest Kent thro’ poppy fields,woods, lanes,over motorway flyovers,another poppy field woods, etc. to bring us back to ……Agony.

Have countless excuses for you-let’s give you one. That damned heat. Never known it to sap so much energy. Plus pain in the legs never seemed to go after about 12-13 K, last 2K almost a standstill.

Never mind eh.

Great organisation by Istead & Ifield Harriers,thanks to them & marvellous support from all Marshalls & water stations,plus kids with trays of jelly babies.

1) Julian Rendall 1.55

First Lady Tina Oldershaw 2.18

64) Gary Neighbour 2.38

119) Hamilton Semple 2.48

379 Finished