Results

ERR 10 mile/10k, 18th November 2007

Many thanks to Pete at the Queen's head for a fantastic cooked breakfast after the race. Marie won the wine (see her race report below):

Race report by Marie Rout

It was a cold, windy, wet winter’s day. I awoke far too early on a Sunday morning thinking how nice it would be to stay in bed and how any ‘normal’ – dare I say ‘sensible’? – human being would take one look out the window and immediately decide not to do a 10 mile race. However, I’m an Eynsham Road Runner and I knew that there would be no backing down. Cancel a race? For a bit of rain? No chance. 

So, I headed over to HQ i.e. the nearest pub and gathered with the hardcore runners in their shorts and vests. I debated whether or not to add an extra layer and decided that waterproofs, gloves and a hat might just be enough to see me through. At 10.30 we headed out into the rain and, after waiting for Jane to finish ‘faffing about’, we set off at top speed. 

Doubtless the men continued at top speed along the A40, through Wytham and on to the finish line. I didn’t see them.  

At the back, we ladies raced along competitively but somehow couldn’t shake our counterparts and conveniently ended up in pairs. Any other arrangement would ruin the conversation. Spurred on by the thought of a warm pub and a cooked breakfast we overcame the long stretch of the A40 (that’s a third done), almost got run over at the Woodstock roundabout by not paying attention to the cars and waving at the marshal (maybe that was just me), then a nice downhill into Wolvercote, and finally some decent scenery as we headed into Wytham, but with the dreaded hill getting ever closer. 

Upon reaching the entrance to Wytham Woods, Jane and I debated which way to turn (note to organisers- we could use an extra marshal there next year, we lost valuable seconds!). Luckily we decided correctly and began the long crawl up the hill. I probably could’ve walked more quickly. Upon reaching the top came the realisation that it was plain sailing from here on. Not long until the next beer! And some chocolate digestives (yes Derek, I’ll get milk chocolate next time). 

Talk of Christmas shopping made easy work of the toll bridge, then a quick hello to the two marshals at the roundabout before going on to a glorious finish. Thanks everyone for cheering. Nice hat Tony. And thanks organisers for, well, organising, particularly showers and breakfasts. Despite my original reluctance to get out of bed I actually had a rather nice morning. I think I’d do it again.