We managed to get over the foggy peaks and arrived in Sheffield just before 9am – the race started at 10am so I had plenty of time to pick up my race numbers and have a quick look at the course. First impressions were that it was hilly, very hilly.
After talking to one of the marshals he said “it starts off on the park area, then on Rustlings Road uphill, followed by a very steep, grassy bank and then you carry going on uphill in the woods”. This was going to be interesting. The course was two laps so you went up these “hills” twice.
There was a large turn out of people with quite a few students amongst them. The weather was overcast and cool, but dry. The course started in Enfield park and then went out of the park gates, along the closed road for about 1k, then a quick left turn and it hit the “grassy bank”; not quite on hands and knees, but it definitely knocked you back. The trail then went through a single track forest path (uphill still) and it was difficult to maintain a pace whilst looking out for large rocks and roots. Eventually, after crossing a couple of roads and more forest paths, we turned and headed back with some welcome downhill parts to the start. Tarmac and more forest tracks made up the trail at this point. A short loop at the bottom and back up hill again. The second time around I managed to get up the grassy bank slightly quicker, probably because I could pace my effort better. More uphill followed and eventually the turn back down towards the finish area.
Overall the event was well organised with a large metal medal (Sheffield steel?) and goody bag at the finish.
Overall official Gun time 43:10 (Chip Time 43:01).
Position 51 out of 987
Vets category 2nd out of 108
Further info at http://www.sheffield10k.com/
Andy T