The Belper Rugby Rover 18.5 miles Posted by Michael and Jo Back to HH News page

 

Despite the title, this race did not involve playing rugby or driving Rovers, but it was in Belper and it was 30k.   Run by the Belper Rugby Club, this hilly trail race was a fantastic mix of terrain: bumpy grass fields, gritty trails, woodland (including stepping stones and many a twisted root – but no twisted ankles -  for me anyway), hill upon hill and stile upon stile, and the unfortunate stretches of country road.  Unfortunately the last road stretch was in the last 5 kilometres (or was it miles?  Very confusing as signs indicated miles in a 30k race) and with legs like jelly (and no, it wasn't an overdose of jelly babies so gratefully received at the water stops), I felt like Michael Jackson moonwalking on Mars -  wrong planet and wrong running style, well, for Michael let's just leave it at style (well, he looked so much better with an afro).  Apart from one cowpat too many, the race was not muddy despite the rain, and the day was blessed with the first sun of the week.  A lot faster than I had anticipated with runners setting a stonking half marathon pace, this race is certainly one I would repeat for its variety and the welcome opportunity to have a break at every stile at the start as runners queued to cross them.  Once underway, the stiles became an exercise in hurdle jumping.  Never a hurdler, I nearly landed on my face and then kneed the stone on the next one.  Full marks to the organisers for excellent marking of route and good atomosphere.  I could have done more than half an orange when I finished though.
Michael

For me the race had the perfect start, styles and a few seconds respite. Everyone was in the same boat and with 18.5 miles to cover there really was no hurry. The first drag I ran up (hotfooters don't walk up hills, what are all these people doing!?) Being sensible and saving energy is the answer! As I was overtaken by the hill walkers I made a mental note to not be so foolish in the rest of the race. The miles went by continuing mainly up, by this stage I had settled in amongst a group of runners that crept past me on the ups and for some reason couldn't run down hill quite as fast. I took advantage at the summit and arms flayling like a demented windmill I charged past them jumping anything that got in the way...dogs, small children, sheep, cowpats. This seemed to work really well until we emerged in some woodland that eventually decided to go up again, steeply! legs had had it by then, flayling arms don't help uphill. I was beginning to feel really rough so had some gel and gradually my legs came back to life. The cat and mouse game persited until the last water station where to my suprise they all seemed to stop just that bit too long so I legged it. The road was awfull, after so much grass and downhill, mental note to self wear different shoes next time. I say next time because I swore blind to Michael I'd never do it again, but after a drink and some food my brain stoppped feeling like slush and I decided I would but wearing MT shoes rather than fell. Michael finished in an amazing 2 and half hours, he had a shower and even gelled his hair before I came across the line. However this pampering meant he missed me finishing! Ah well at least he smelt nice. I guess I will be persuaded to do this again..maybe.....

Excellent signage, marshalling and a lovely atmosphere from start to finish. But for a race of this length there needed to be some cake or simular at the end.

Jo