The 8th of May was Houghton trail race day. Moira (1:23); Sue (1:04); Ray (1:00); Linn (1:17); Derek (1:20); Julia (1:30); Anna (1:18); Karen (1:24); Alice (1:06); Liz (1:06); Louise (1:15); Gemma (1:28); James (1:23); Amy (1:15) and Giovanni (54:24) all braved the hot weather to complete the 11k race.
Anna said of the experience: “the Houghton run was an excellent route for its 11k distance across the countryside from the village, including plenty of hills along farm tracks and woodland paths with a good length of the Test Way towards the finish across the valley floor. I found it tough and hot but well worth the effort! The results showed that I had won my age group!!! My time was 1.18.21.” Julia said: “a few of us have done this race for several years now and it was great to be able to return to it after the Covid lay-off. It’s a tough route with some sharp hills but made up for by the stunning scenery when you finally get to the top!” And Moira said: “according to Strava my time was 1 hr 23. I’m going with that one as it is a few seconds quicker than the Houghton race table! (I started my watch when I crossed the start line). Really enjoyable run, good atmosphere and warm!”
Alice headed down to Cornwall mid-week for the Godrevy 10k on the 11th May. This is an evening, off-road hilly run that starts at Godrevy beach before heading out along the coast path to the dunes where it drops down onto the beach and follows the wide expanse of Gwithian sands before finishing by the river. Alice had a super run and finished in a very respectable time of 59:36.
The 15th of May saw Gretel take on the GU36 – a 36-mile hilly circuit of Guernsey, which she completed in an impressive time of 6:55, while Alice, Mark, Bridget and Nicola ran the Netley 10k, a multi-lap course of Royal Victoria Country Park. Mark finished in an impressive time of 37:25, coming 33rd overall and 3rd in age, while Alice finished in 52:12 and Bridget and Nicola in 1:01.