Lesley Pymm reports: This was a lovely 1/2M in the Forest of Dean. It was part of the Wye Valley Adventure Weekend.
On the Saturday there was the adventure race which involved canoeing, cycling and running. Don’t worry, I didn’t even think about that one – I was safely doing the parkrun at Cannon Hill. In the evening there was a 10k in the dark – strangely I didn’t do that either. I’m not great in the dark using a headtorch, even though I do Hash a bit. I was on site and did see them off, then I retired to my tent to relax before the longer events the day after. There were two events on Sunday – marathon and 1/2M.
It had rained overnight, but the sun came out in the morning and it was a lovely day for running. We all set off on these trails in the forest. Unfortunately some of the front runners missed the first turn off, so suddenly those of us who were toward the back of the run were at the front. Obviously the leaders came past us again later. Some had done over 1.5 miles extra, but they didn’t seem too miffed.
Although it was a warm day, we were in the shade for most of the run and so it was very pleasant running. After a loop of Mailscot Woods, we climbed up to Symonds Yat, and then on and up to the highest point of the route. It was then a predominantly downhill run through Highmeadow Woods to the River Wye. We could not see too much of the river as there were a lot of trees, but I could make out some people canoeing. After this it was the biggest and hardest climb of the event.
I had been thinking that it was not too bad at all until this point and suddenly it was really tough! Anyway, eventually I was at Symonds Yat again and onto the same loop as the beginning and the climb to the high point before coming down to the finish again.
It was a good run and everyone seemed happy at the end. My time was 2.35.35, which I was pleased with on this course.
hey,
i also ran in the wye valley, was a good race, nice people and a well marshalled course, and you cant beat running through woods on a sunday. also done waseley wobbler and gnr this month (derby wild thing on sunday), looking to do your leafy run in oct! being a local thought this would be good?
sam chatwin
Kerplunk……..Careful Barrie, that almost hit me on the head.
Congratulations Lesley on successfully completing the Wye Half Marathon.It sounded like fun `as everyone seemed happy,` and as you said in your Report `it was very pleasant running.` ie.`a lovely 1/2M in the Forest of Dean.` I think that your cheerful and positive Report explains clearly to us all wye you take part in such races.
Barrie Roberts