Chedworth Roman Trail
Tara Lupton has written this race report on Chedworth Roman Trail race which took place on Sunday 11th September at 10:30am.
Three of us from the club ran today: Debs Roebuck, Lizzie Figgis and myself. We left Stroud in thick fog this morning, wondering if it was set in or if we might see any of the scenery today! Arrived at Race HQ, good signs directing you in when you got close to the villages.
HQ was the village hall, organised parking on the adjacent field. Registration was inside and we picked up our numbers, there was an option to register on the day also.
Toilets inside and also portable toilets kept queues sensible.
Post race! Cake and hot drinks were available.
At the start and after the briefing a minutes silence was observed out of respect to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
We all thought 10:30am was a generous start time on a Sunday morning. With a field of about 200 runners we set off in fog but mild temperatures.
Out of the field you take a short distance of road and down a steep rocky track to then cross a county lane, once off the lane, it’s onto a variety of multi terrain, long stretches of gravel track, small parts of woodland trail, crossing open fields and a water crossing at about mile 7! Which today reached the top of your legs, refreshing as the sun was now showing an appearance and things were warming up, but meant for heavy shoes after.
After the water crossing and over a few fields, you enter some woodland for a steep long hill.
Near the end of the course you rejoin the path you took outwards, having done a big loop and come back up the short stretch of road into the field to finish.
Debs was finished and cheered Lizzie and I in over the line. We promptly entered HQ to enjoy the mighty fine selection of cake!
Plenty of very encouraging and cheerful marshals throughout the course, water station at miles 4 and 8, and a well marked-out course.
Undulating, fine scenery once the fog lifted and nice to find a 10mile race.
Debs finished in a fabulous time of about 1:35, and Lizzie ran very strong throughout, I hit a wall and finished with Lizzie’s support as she refused to leave me behind.
I did this back in 2015 (18mins quicker)
Great race, fabulous marshalling great facilities, local. And great potential for a quick time.