Longworth 10k Report by Jacky Pinnock
Having not done much running over the summer, due to a foot injury, I was a little bit apprehensive about doing this run as it is a mixed terrain course with the potential to set back my recovery.
After collecting our race numbers from the Village Hall, we met up with the other ERR runners outside to enjoy the September sunshine before making our way to the start at the east end of the Village.
The route descends a rough gravel track down towards the River Thames before turning left onto a footpath along the edge of the river. Not sure the fisher men were impressed by having their peaceful Sunday disturbed by 150 odd runners going by.
Although it was flat and not too muddy along the towpath, there was a bit of a head wind which made it feel harder than it should have been and seemed to go on much farther than I could remember.
We then headed up a narrow path and onto a gravel track before encountering the famous climb up the “Yellow Brick Road” by which time I did manage to catch up with Colin.
The last section was heading back along a narrow footpath to the village and the finish line.
The race was won by U18 Male in 38.37 with awards for Eynsham Roadrunners to Dafydd as Fastest Vet Male and Kate Daniels winning the 18-44 Fastest Female category.
I ran this race a couple of years ago and missed out on the after race ice cream, so I was determined to get round and join the queue to get the reward from The Oxford Cow, mine was the Raspberry Ripple, together with a very fetching blue bucket hat in ERR colours.
I will be hoping to take part again next year just to be able to try one of the other delicious flavours on offer.
