This was to be the first year for this 7 mile trail race based at Epworth showground and organised by Metres to Miles. From the moment we arrived it was clearly a well organised event, the car park was close to the start, the registration tent volunteers were very efficient and we very quickly had our numbers, Christmas music and a great information service were ‘blasted through’ a very efficient PA system so everybody was aware of what was going on.

The race started with short section on the showground before a few hundred metres down a road before the off road sections began. The course consisted of tracks and trails with only a few short inclines around the Turbary, it included one or two small wooden bridges, a number of kissing gates, a set of wide soil steps and some muddy sections. The course was well marked with large direction arrows, lots of tinsel and friendly marshals.

The race was described as a 7 mile trail race, so as I approached 6.5 miles I decided to up my pace and pick off the runner in front of me, this I did only to see the 7 mile marker and no finish line in sight! After crossing a small bridge over a dyke I returned to the road that came out of the showground and the finish line was in sight, the total distance was just over 7.5 miles!

A total of 273 runners completed the race with a fair few in fancy dress, strange running with Santa’s, Elves, Snowmen and other festive creatures. I finished in 52nd position with a time of 59m31s and Sheila was 211th in a time of 82m47s.

Once over the line there was water, medals, t-shirts and of course mulled wine with a mince pie. All in all a very well organised event, a lovely course, great medal / t-shirt so one for the calendar next year.