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| Elaine, Alison and Claire at Man vs Horse |
Green events also organise the infamous Bog Snorkelling so obviously this is going to be no ordinary running/riding event. Three intrepid Maths Teachers from Cheshire + an 1 extra for support headed down to take on the horses and hopefully complete the 23 mile course as a relay whilst not getting run over/kicked/bitten/sh*t on by aforementioned beasts. All was well until the horses came through town to get to the start, one narrowly missing leg 1 runner Alison as it kicked out on the way past. A narrow escape not to be repeated we hoped. So Alison (a Congleton Harrier) set off 15 minutes before the horses with the leg 1 and full distance runners to a packed crowd.
I was on the bus to checkpoint 2 when the horses went through but no doubt a sight to behold. The atmosphere was electric and cakes at tea at the checkpoint plus awesome support for all runners and horses coming through made the 2 hour wait fly past. Leg 2 runner Claire came in and I grabbed the wrist band and set off. A brilliant undulating 10 mile route lay ahead starting with a 3 mile hill! What goes up must come down and a fantastic downhill section with forest tracks, bogs, mountain trails and short road sections, oh and a very slippery river crossing took me into the finish where Alison and Claire were waiting to sprint in together. We even managed to beat some horses however not the first who triumphed over man once more.
The event is slightly marred by people taking unfit horses, a couple collapsing en route, however the regular vet checks make sure that horses are not allowed to continue in poor condition. I thoroughly recommend this event and will hopefully complete the full course next time.
For more information, visit the Green Events website.
Elaine