Sheriffhales Shuffle 7 Miles, 16th May. Lesley Pymm reports ….
I did this event last year, when it was new, and it was a terrible day with hail and cold winds – today was different, very dry underfoot and VERY warm. I think most people found it easier last year. I forgot my watch and have not seen the results yet, so don’t know how I did by comparison to last year, but it certainly felt harder! The run starts on road, but after about 1/2 mile it goes off-road onto a track for training horses.
That was hard going as the mud underneath was covered by wood chippings – it just drained the energy from my legs – and I heard others saying the same thing. After that it got a bit easier as we ran on dry mud lanes to get to Lilleshall College – a rare bit of tarmac and the drink station (so it must have been about 1/2 way!) More mud tracks followed and then we were onto the road again.
Cheerful marshals told us that it was all downhill from there – it didn’t look very downhill to me as I continued to go uphill, wondering when this downhill would kick in. It may have seemed downhill if you were in a car, but believe me it was not. Eventually turned off the road for the final mud track mile or so to the finish.
Great cakes, I was spoiled for choice there. There was also a BBQ, but nothing for veggies so cannot do a full food report.