For any Parkrun tourists in the Hampshire area this is a pleasant 5k round the Winchester ‘North Walls’ Recreation Park. Although it consists of 3 circuits of the playing fields, the tree lined surroundings make the run more interesting than it sounds. The course is mostly run on grass, and is flat as a pancake, so has definite P.B. potential. I used it as a warm up for a marathon the following day.
Surrey Bacchus Marathon (13/09/2015)
The idea for this race was conceived a few years ago as an English tribute to the Marathon du Medoc. So this year I thought I’d give it a go – for comparison.
Atmosphere – though much smaller than Medoc (only 200 marathon runners plus about 1500 half-marathoners and no jet aircraft fly-past or fireworks), the organisers managed to ensure a friendly party atmosphere with a couple of live bands on the route. There was also plenty of entertainment for the spectators during the event.
The marathon route consists of two (mostly off-road) circuits winding their way around the Surrey Hills surrounding Dorking. This makes for a fairly tough challenge, though it makes the 15 wine (and water) stops on the way even more welcome.
Every runner entered into the fancy-dress party spirit, with my day being spent in the company of 6 Spartan warriors, 2 fairies, a speed camera and a beer bottle and opener.
Although the official cut-off time is a generous 8 hours, I was happy to finish in just under 6 hours, especially since the wine was beginning to run out by then. So I crossed the finish line, had a nice chunky piece of bling hung around my neck, yet another ‘I completed a race’ technical t-shirt and hobbled off to the marquee for my free hog roast (vegetarian hog is available) and (another) free glass of wine.
All in all, it was a very enjoyable, friendly and well-organised marathon, and well worth the journey down south.
For those who like statistics about the course. It’s mostly undulating and off-road, twice negotiating a slightly more challenging 100m hill (2k long). And there are wine (and water) stops at every 2nd mile. P.B. potential – ZERO.
P.S. I’m claiming first in category, as I was the first ‘Where’s Wally’ to complete the course.
For more information visit the website.
Grant