Riverbank Rollick

Seven club members (Heather, Kate, Liz H, Nikki, Rachel, Trudy and Angie) took part in the 9 mile Riverbank Rollick on 14 January.

It was a chilly day and, as we stood around waiting for the instruction to walk the 10 mins to the start,  we all wondered if we should have worn more layers. However,  once we got started, all that was forgotten.

The race starts next to Thornbury Castle (now a posh hotel) and takes the runners along tracks, across fields and along a short stretch of road past Oldbury church, then more fields to the banks of the Severn. During the mile or so along the edge of the Severn, the two Severn bridges are visible; the race organisers had helpfully posted a sign which told us that we were now at the lowest point on the race; from now on, it would be all uphill!

Aaagh! It was tough going at many points when it was very wet and muddy, and particularly tiring on the legs going uphill. However, the final mile was flat and then downhill, finishing with 50m along a small stream (to wash one’s shoes!) and a final steep climb up a slippery, grassy/muddy slope.

The race is very well organised and well marshalled too by very friendly, supportive members of Thornbury Running Club. It sold out quite quickly but someone who was 69th on the waiting list got a place (there seemed to be quite a few uncollected race numbers at the start too). And there was a great medal – one of a set of three to be collected over the year.