Beat the Bore 2019

Sunday 1st September was a perfect day for a race. Four of us from Cotswold Allrunners took part – Anne-Marie, Marcia, Tom and me, along with 70+ other runners from all over the county and from further afield.

We began with a briefing from Simon in Elmore Village Hall (where the registration took place, as well as the after-race food and drink). Then we all walked for 10 minutes or so to the start (the original start route having been changed at the last minute because of tree-felling in the woods).

The first 1/3 of the race is up and over a hill through woodland (can you imagine one of Simon’s races without a hill?) and then across lots of fields, eventually reaching the River Severn.   From there, we dutifully kept the river on our left and ran along the raised bank; for some time, trees and hedges obscured our view of the river but, fortunately, the Bore arrived when some of us were about 1 mile from the finish, with a very clear view. There was a motor boat just ahead of the Bore and someone surfing the wave too.  By this time, Anne-Marie and Tom were already at the finish and therefore had a good view of it some minutes later.

As ever, I began to struggle and had to work hard to convince myself that this was a lovely thing to be doing on a Sunday morning: – perfect conditions; pleasant company; the end not too far away; water, cup of tea and veggie sausage waiting for me.  And remind myself how important it is to run if you are fortunate enough to be able to do so!

A yellow hi-viz jacket came into view – hurray!  The end?  Time to speed up a bit? Catch the lady in front of me? Alas, no!  It was Dawn taking photos so, after smiling for the camera, I followed the others down a bit and up a bit and then, a few hundred metres later, saw the home straight ahead of me.  Cheers of support helped finishers over the line and then there was the chance to choose your own medal (each one different, made of wood from the river bank) and glug down some water before the walk back to the start.

According to my medals, I have not taken part in this race since 2016; I am surprised, as I had quite clear memories of the last time (and how tough I found it then!) For anyone who has not ever done it, I can highly recommend it as it is quirky as well as being a great opportunity to see the Bore – something that so many Gloucestershire people have not done. Do look out for the next one.  With the relatively small number of competitors, it is a friendly and intimate event, with challenge for all.

You can find out more at Beat the Bore

Angie Ayling