Hatfield Forest trail half marathon

17 September 2017 - By Marc Underdown

Getting helpful information from race organisers a day before the race is a really good thing, but when it informs you that the course is wet and muddy means it comes with mixed blessings! I hoped that they might be over-egging the situation, but sadly it was true and the recommendation to wear trail shoes was well advised and even with them, several of us put in some mud-skating practice.

The route was a two lap course around the National Trust land in Hatfield Forest, and it came with having to avoid dogs, horses and even cows who had no respect for the racing line, but I wasn’t going to argue! Never have any of us been so thankful to join the Flitch Way as for around a mile each lap, we got to enjoy a solid surface.

Scott Darney led the way finishing in 8th place in 1:30:32. I was next home in 1:40:00. Bill Smythe and Mark Austin treated it as a steady training run and came home together in 1:52:22. Danny Connor was making his half debut, so it was a baptism of fire but he should be pleased with 1:57:40.

Terry Alabaster has had some injury issues lately and sadly they resurfaced 10 miles in, but he walked the rest and finished in 2:06:48. Sylvia Bullen-Bell was also taking on her first half. Having followed a specific training programme from one of our coaches, she looked really strong as she finished in 2:20:30.

Sue Shippey and Karen Flowers also ran together. Sue said it was the hardest half she has ever done but they still finished in a good time of 2:25:42. Emma Austin was next home in a time of 2:28:36. Jo had some struggles but showed the true WRC spirit and soldiered on and finished 2:43:09. I know that Nick Inns also ran but I can’t find his time in the results, so I’ll try and find this out for Tuesday’s announcements.

Thanks to Heydon and Giles for the support on the course.