Man V Horse Posted by Lilly and Jo Click here to return to HH News

Unflattering but true - a few years ago, a friend behind me on a forest trail thought he'd caught me up running when in fact he'd caught up with the rear of a black horse trotting on the path. Having had lots of horses (and their rear ends) thunder past me today on the Man V Horse marathon, I am now horrified by this case of mistaken identity (It takes "Does my bum look big in this?" to a whole new level !!). Today was my second time running Man V Horse and somehow it had slipped my memory how monstrously hilly the course actually is (it includes 3000 foot of climbing), but the unique experience of running with riders on horseback, the breathtaking scenery of forest trails and open moorland and the perfect breezy, sunny conditions made for a wonderful day's running. My zen-like flow was interrupted when a dash through what appeared to be a muddy foot-deep puddle transpired to be an almost waist deep mud ditch in which I took an unplanned wallow. Fortunately I also took a very cold and wet tumble later on, when fording the fast flowing stream half a mile from the end and so washed off the peat and mud from two hours earlier, arriving at the finish line looking almost clean. Waiting for us were two of Jo's friends who greeted us with a cheer, a picnic and bottles of wine for a fine hour or two in the sunshine whilst we watched the other runners and riders come in. The Man V Horse marathon is actually 22 miles in length and can also be run in relay teams of three. And if you don't have a picnic and wine waiting for you then fear not as the race organisers will fill you up on tea and sandwiches (with cheese and strawberry jam sarnies being the pride of the catering tent!!).
Lilly

Last year this was my return to running having been off with an injury for 5 weeks, a hard race to use as your come back, so this year only having been off running for 3 weeks I was hoping to better my time. Funny how the mind plays tricks. I remember it being hard and hurting but the veiws and downhills compensating, it is hard and it does hurt and the views are stunning, just more so in every department!The race was started my the local Monster Raving Loony candidate and the local Mayor. The course takes you along a road for about 1 mile and half until veering off road and though forest trails.

Once you've been up you do get to go down, some classic fell running to get the brain engaged (my favourire bits). The horses came thundering by after about 40 mins and kept playing chase for the next hour or 2 until 4 legs are better than 2 increased the gap. Just like Lilly I decided in true Hotfooter fashion, 'why run round a puddle when you can run through it' unfortunately the puddle was a thigh deep bog and I got covered! I also had a case of mistaken horse identity, a lady I was trying to overtake asked if I was a runner or a horse, much to the amuzement of a marshal. Unfortunately at about mile 10 I had a pain in my toe and had to stop to sort it out (luckily feet covered in plasters so could move them around)...unfortunately this caused a big delay and I sat helpless as about 50 runners ran on by. Having lost all chance in beating last years time I decided to take it easy and enjoy the run. Funnily enough this strategy still brought me in 13 mins quicker than last year!

Plus my good friends Judy and Maureen not only made it to one of the check points to cheer me along, they turned up at the finish with a picnic and wine. However I still scoffed the jam and cheese sandwiches on offer from the race catereing (starving!)
I emplore you HH's to make this one for your calender, massive sense of achievment and one of the friendliest races around (apart from ours of course)
Jo

Winning Horse

Exhausted but happy!