Run Reigate 10km Trails Run

I AM A big fan of Run Series based in Reigate, probably being born in Redhill and living there for the first 19 years of my life.   I discovered sometime ago that they had a half marathon in Reigate and ran their 10km, having just started running, coming back the next year for the half marathon.

Reigate was set to be my first half marathon, but they added Run Gatwick to their books and although I wasn't going to run it I got involved with a part of the planning and decided to give it a go.   This was my first half marathon.

This year Run Series decided to look at 5km and 10km trails run in Redhill.   This took place on the 20th February 2022 with a Spring run.   On the back of the success they followed it with a summer evening 5km and 10km run which took place on the 28th July 2022.

Gatton Park is a private school situated in extensive grounds just under the North Downs. The run consists of either a 5km or 10km run (two loops of the 5km). It starts at the back of Gatton House taking path and trails to the large lake and a ford. As you exit the lake you go up hill to a farm area and school grounds. This drops you back into the trails going past the horse stables and back to the finish or second loop.

Both 10km runs were run by myself and follow Haywards Heath Harrier Oliver Farr both of us have multiple attendances at Run Reigate Half Marathon and I have the same with Run Gatwick.

Oli had a great run crossing the finish line 27th at 52:01, followed by myself 106th at 01:04:26 achieving 6th in my category.

Run Reigate Trails is a complex run due to the a long harsh hill as you exit the lake, because it's a 5km route you have to run the hill twice for the 10km.   The 5km is an excellent run for people who have got their Parkrun and looking for something a more adventurous or looking for a challenging 10km.   It's a beauful run on private land just below the North Downs, which makes it exclusive.

 

WSFRL: Henfield Steven Stiles

SUNDAY JULY 24th saw the next run in the West Sussex Fun Run League calendar, hosted by Henfield Joggers. On a hot sunny day the banners from all 16 athletics clubs went up on Kings Field as athletes warmed up ready for the run.

I love the WSFRL because they are so varied in terms of terrain and distance.   Most of them are between 5km and 10km, there are cross country, trails, road and one is a beach run at littlehampton.   You are guaranteed 16 runs a year.

This is a beautiful four mile trails from from Kings Field onto the open roads for a short distance before starting the trails. The run went down the side of the river Arun with runners having to avoid ending up going down the embankments onto the flood plains and taking care on the cracked scorched pathways. This led into a short run along the Downs Link, a disused railway line that connects the South and North Downs before heading back to the finish line.

Henfield Parish Church have done a lot of work brining Ukrainian refugees into the community and one joined the event producing an amazing run.

Haywards Heath Harriers pulled together a team of 11 athletes who took part, with some great running from front runners Harvey Alcock and Andy Hind and Abigail Redd running a great race. There was some great teamwork from Sarah Hamilton and Micheal Parish pacing in the middle of the pack with Sarah making it to the finish line first.

WSFRL: Hove Hornets Stinger 10km

HOSTED BY Hove Hornets the next run in the West Sussex Fun Run League took place on July 10th 2022 on the South Downs with a gloriously tough 10km run.   With temperatures reaching 26 degrees, and no shade, this was going to be a challenging run.

Athletics clubs from all over Sussex joined together raising their standards by the rugby club in preparation for the run which starts on the green before heading for a 5km run uphill to the top of the South Downs.   The views from the top are inspiring as you turn and start coming back down through roads, footpaths and trails.

This is one of the most challenging runs in the WSFRL calendar, but worth doing for the experience and kudos of having achieved it. 

There was some great running from Haywards Heath Harriers with Andy Hind first across the post for the club followed by Julian Boyer and Barry Tullett.

Haywards Heath Harriers results:  Andy Hind, 00:42:19; Julian Boyer, 00:47:11; Barry Tullett, 00:49:43; James Smyth, 00:58:57; Sarah Hamilton, 01:10:42; Michael Parish 01:10:57; Carys Hind, 01:16:33; Richard Bates 01:19:36; Linda Tullett 01:22:47.

Wakehurst Willows Series

ONE OF the greatly missed runs since COVID restrictions has been the Wakehurst Willows.   Organised by Haywards Heath Harriers coaches Marion Hemsworth and Ian Dumbrell and in partnership with Wakehurst it's a beautiful 8km run around both a National Trust Property and a part of Kew Gardens.

This year it came back as a run series with two events starting on the 3rd July with the "Wee Willows" a 5km run around the main house and gardens.   And on 13th July it went into the "Wakehurst Willows" a 8km run.

After Wakehurst closed down for the evening and the public had left, the site locked down only allowing organisers, marshalls and runners on site.

This is a highlight on the run calendar with athletics clubs joining the run from all over Sussex as well as unaffiliated runners wanting to run the prestious grounds.   The Wee Willows was an amazing opportunity for new runners looking to run a 5km distance. 

A few weeks before the event Wakehurst wanted to publicise the run on their website.   So a group of us from Haywards Heath Harriers and J&M Running went along to help with the publicity shots.   We had access to the grounds and specific spots to run whilst photo's were taken and subsequently uploaded to the website and used in adverts.   Maybe I could get more modelling work, if only I didn't have a face for radio!   Payment was free coffee and cake in the Wakehurst cafe afterwards, perfect.

There was some great running from Haywards Heath Harriers with Paul Cousins first across the line for the club, followed by Pete Francis and Julian Boyer.    There was a real team effort displayed with several runnings pairing up Peter Francis and Julian Boyer coming in at 00:35:09, Steven Heath and Barry Tullett coming in at 00:38:05.

WSFRL: Trundel View 5 mile race

 

HOSTED by Chichester Runners and Athletics Club the next run in the West Sussex Fun Run League (WSFRL) took place on the 25^th May 2022.   Members from the counties athletics clubs converged for a 5 mile trails race around the forest surrounding Glorious Goodwood. 

The League is made of 17 athletics clubs who each hold one run per year, each ranging from 5 miles to 10km.   Giving athletes 17 runs over a total distance of 85 miles.   Each is a very different and unique experience and is open to both affiliated and non-affiliated athletes.

The routed started outside of Goodwood across a field before entering the woods. Once there athletes had to complete two loops (each loop just under 4km) of the trails, before heading back across the fields to the finish line.   The route is best described as undulating with a number of continuous hills.

 Haywards Heath Harriers had some great results with Philip Scott first Harriers across the finish line.   I ws the second Harrier having a great race with fellow Harrier Sarah Hamilton.   Sarah was in front of me for the first loop, but I gained the upper hand on the second loop with just three seconds between us.

This was a great location and great race.   Will definantly have this one on my list for next year, even though it's the furthest run in the league from The Heath. 

Lindfield 10km - King Edward Hall

SUNDAY 22nd May 2022 was the date for the return of the Lindfield Village Run.   Having been missing from the Mid Sussex running diary for the last two years, it was good to see it return in spectacular style.

This is the fourth time I have entered the Lindfield Village Run which is a well-established event setting out two cross county runs: a 10k Village Run and a 5k Family Fun Run.   Both take place mostly on paths and tracks through the West Sussex countryside in the immediate vicinity of the village of Lindfield.   It has often been described as an old fashioned cross-country run with plenty of multi-terrain, some slippery surfaces, and the odd cow in fields!

Once again I entered the 10km course which is a tough course from roads, to trail and then across country. Athletes have to run stairs that take them up hills and down the other side to multiple bridges, even to the point jumping streams. It's a beautiful and unique run and takes in the sights of Ardingly Resevouir and College. 

Some of the route you can only run if you enter the event as it goes across private property and you need permission to do it.   I ran a part of it recently, but it was quite dangerous with a lot of exposed tree roots (this is where I had my accident recently) and a number of trees down.   I felt I spent a little time trying to climb over trees instead of running.   But that's the fun of going off road!   Lindfield had to alter the route accordingly, but it's a route they have used before and I was familiar with.

You walk away from Lindfield always feeling proud of your achievement and feeling that is was professionally organised from the start to the finish with plenty of marshalls out in the fields (quite literally).

I feel I should offer my apologies to fellow Haywards Heath Harrier, Ben, (left on the photo opposite).   He had not done the run before and asked, "Can you get lost?".   "No," I said, "It's really well marshalled and if I don't get lost then you have nothing to worry about."   Turns out he was in front, took a wrong turn (someone standing in front of the signpost) and went the wrong way for a while.   He still came second, great work.

Welcome back Lindfield.

 

 

Freetrain - Hydro 1

I AM A big fan of the Freetrain vest, but the Hydro One takes the designed and makes it more useable.   If you already have a vest and thinking about buying the Hydro One then then these are the points that stood out for me.

The vest is wider with two distict sides, the first side is the same as the Freetrain vest and allows you to hold your mobile phone also, and important to me, a debit card and small amount of cash.   The ability to make contact and be able to get home if you have a mishap is paramount, especially if you are going off road.

Recently I was running down hill and tripped on a tree route, I literally took off and came down hard on the ground.   Grounding on my forearms, chest and knees for the first time I had to call Mrs. 50+ and get her to pick me up.   I didn't walk for two days due to the pain.   I was off road, but had the ability to make contact or get a taxi home.

The other side gives you a flexible water bottle (included in the price), not something I normally worry too much about, but the good weather is now here and running off road having some water is essential.   The bottle is on your chest and the Freetrain vest does not "bounce" when you run, it's so well designed that you forget it's there.   How do you bring the two sides together?   With a zip up the middle which is brilliant, no more pulling it on/off over your head, adjustments to the straps just became easier.

It still has two pouches on the shoulder straps for gels or car keys, but the zip up one has gone (pity as I felt this was great for key security when running), but there are velcro straps, so your keys are not going anywhere.

There is so much more going on with Hydro One that make it worth the investment and to top it off there is a pouch on the back for other lightweight things.   Highly recommended for training runs, especially when going off road for shorter distances (13 miles), but for ultras you probably need to carry more water and another produce is needed for higher amount of water.