Grand Shaftesbury Run – 27 May 2012

Pete Kingswell-Farr reports.

The start and finish lines were near to St Giles House which is under restoration

The inaugural Great Shaftesbury Run in 2011 saw almost 500 runners take on half marathon and 10k courses around the Earl of Shaftesbury’s Estate in Wimborne St Giles. ‘The Great…Run’ has been trademarked so this year’s event was renamed the Grand Run to avoid stepping on toes!

The driving wind and torrential rain last year made both courses very challenging. As a relative newcomer to this running bug, I attempted to plod my way round the 10k course in a semi-respectable time. One year on and the weather conditions couldn’t be more different, not a hint of a breeze and temperatures in excess of 25 ̊C.  From one extreme to another! Three weeks ago I really felt that I could produce a good time on this 10K, last week I was thinking, ok, change of weather maybe it won’t be my best but surely not my worst time for a 10k and on Sunday morning I was thinking I’d be lucky even to get round!

This really is a multi-terrain course around the picturesque estate. Starting at the avenue of beech trees in front of St Giles House, which is being renovated, the course leads you round and through a number of fields where stubble from recently cut crops, vehicle tracks, and well used bridleways are a sample of the under-foot terrain. A well-positioned water station at about 3k was a sight to behold. Next came welcomed relief from the sun as we entered the beautiful historic woodlands. The sanctuary of the woodlands was not to last long enough and we were soon skirting round fields admiring more of the spectacular scenery. Footpaths led down to Manor Farm and the day’s first strides on tarmac. The second water station was located at the 6k mark and at the start of the climb via a gravel and flint track up to Harley Down. This climb lasted for what seemed like a kilometre and drained the energy levels further, helped by the full force of the sun. Far-reaching views that greeted you at the summit across Cranborne Chase are stunning. I know this from memory as by now visibility had reduced to a few metres with sweat cascading from my forehead!

What goes up must come down and I am pleased to say the steady descent still on gravel tracks to the third and final watering hole provided a well needed opportunity to recover. Back on roads through the village of Wimborne St Giles for the last couple of kilometres and the beech avenue finish line was in sight. The final push and a glance at the time of 55mins confirmed how tough I found these conditions.

Pete with his hard-earned medal

Before I was able to be disappointed about my time, family and friends were on hand to offer me suitable words of encouragement and a generous quantity of recovery liquid. I view the medal hanging around my neck with a sense of achievement. I got out there and did it. My entrance fee supported the three official event charities: - Wings for Life, The Philip Green Memorial School and the Sparkle Appeal. I have seen some incredible parts of this amazingly beautiful county, parts I wouldn’t normally get to see and I’m sharing the tale of this run, good and bad, with new friends who share the same crazy desire to run. The post run relaxation in the grounds of St Giles House complete with Palmers beer, ice cream, a burger van, music from the Bavarian Strollers, tea and cake etc. all made for a ‘grand’ family day out. So bring on the next one, and the one after that. I’m not worried about the weather, the course or the terrain, only a slight hesitation about the distance but not for long!  Keep on runnin’!

Pete