Another Sunday,another race. Early start at 07:15 hours to pick up David Gingell (Fit Mum Runner)to be in Newark for 09:00 hours. Walking into the Sconce Park to pick up our race numbers we came across more Harriers,Keith Conkerton,John Crosby, Gary Fee and Carole Fee. Numbers got and then off to join what seemed to be an endless queue for the Thunder Box. Oh,what Fun! !

Meet with some more Harriers,Dave Cracknell and Emma-Jayne Brackstone. By this time it was getting hotter and hotter with clear blue skies. Just before the start. Then into the pen times and we were lead to the start.

The race got under way about 5 minutes late but we were off. Good job for the 4 water stations at 2,5,8 and 11 miles because it was getting hotter and hotter. There was one nice family at about mile 12 who provided the runners with a nice cool hosepipe. Race organisers stated it was a flat and fast race but,I think I ran up 2 mountains in the heat (223 feet elevation gained).

As the race nears the final you enter back into Sconce Park at 12.6 miles so the last half of a mile was around the park. I think this was the hardest part of the race. It felt like over a mile. I went over the line with a chip time of 1 hour 33 minutes 07 seconds,happy with my time considering it was very hot.

There was fantastic support from all the spectators as all the runners finished. They even had a monkey chasing Dave Cracknell to the finish line. I think we can all be happy with are times specially Carole Fee who got a PB time and came 1st in her age category.

Before we all parted company we found a local pub to discuss how the race went and rehydrate.

All in all,it was a great day had by all and I got a lovely sun tan as well. Happy Days.

Tim Groves