From Peter Roll…

Warning this report contains comments about running shoes that some might find nerdy:

It might have been so different, with some worrying forecasts but, we were blessed with relatively kind weather and with clear views. Katie Poulter, Charles Wain, Martin Hartley and I seemed to be the only Harriers competing. Katie, Charles and yours truly finishing within a few minutes of each other. Presuming Martin had finished, had his soup, bread, cake, cuppa and off on his way home before we bowled in. The 3 of us seemed to have had good runs, Katie & I improved on our times from last year by possibly 15 minutes of so. The results haven’t been published yet so we’ll wait and see. In Katie’s case this was obviously down to pure talent, as her recent FRA relays performance demonstrates. However, not so sure with me. (Nerdy Fell Shoe comment) Some of it might might be down to me wearing the new Inov8 MudTalons. I’ve never got on with Inov8’s well but, the new Talons have a 6mm heel to toe drop, more cushioning & possibly more support and were very comfortable for the whole route even the last tarmac section into Barley. Last year I wore La Sportiva Mutants which were fine but, Jann Smith showed mudclaws were significantly better for the terrain as she ably demonstrated whizzing past me on the descent.

Either way the race this year was bogtastic and thoroughly enjoyable.

Results

75th – Martin Hartley – 03:08
118th – Peter Roll – 03:33
208th – Charles Wain 03:38
213th – Katie Poulter 03:39