Marlborough Downs Challenge – 14 May 2011
Craig
Dixon reports
It all started a couple of years ago when I was
around at Ian’s and saw a nice hand-made Marlborough Downs Challenge
Mug. This was the prize for the event and I wanted one, which meant I
had to take on the 33 mile challenge to get one. It has been on my
agenda for a couple of years but due to diary clashes I have not had a
chance to do it so this year I was determined to enter. Pete Lemon is
always easily persuaded to do any off-road races and so on the morning
of Saturday 14th May we set off for Marlborough.
The
race is organised by Marlborough Running Club and there is the option of
either a 20 or 33 mile route which splits off at mile 9. I knew if I was
not feeling good on the day the 20 mile was always an option. From
peoples’ previous times I guessed it would take around 5 hours to
complete the longer route as the course is all off road with plenty of
stiles and hills. I had completed London Marathon and North Dorset
Marathon in the weeks previous so I had done the mileage but not fully
recovered so I was interested to see how it was going to go.
The organisers said the route was marked at a few
points but route instructions were given, as well as details for OS
maps. We planned to keep people in sight so getting lost would not be an
issue. We set off at 9am, some runners with back packs and waist belts
but I opted for the minimalist approach and relied on the 8 checkpoints
along the way for drinks.
The route starts from Marlborough College and along
the way takes in Knapp Hill and Tan Hill (two of the highest points in
Wiltshire) before coming through Avebury and back to Marlborough. The
scenery was stunning as we took it steady along the lumpy route. Each
checkpoint was well manned with water, squash and sweets. We met a man
from Wales who was running his first race over the marathon distance, he
seemed to think it would be good idea to stick with us along the route
so we had the pleasure of his company for around 25 miles of the course.
He did push on at the end only to be caught again.
I ticked off each checkpoint as we went along and I
was doing ok until checkpoint 7 (26 miles ish). I started to struggle
after this and did a bit of run/walk up the hills. Pete was fine and
encouraged me by putting a camera in my face and telling me to run for
the picture but to no avail. We put in a slow few miles until the final
checkpoint at 29 miles. I told Pete to go on as he was aiming to finish
in under 5hrs 15 mins so after a bit of persuasion he went chasing off
after the people in front like he had just started a 10k race. With the
pressure lifted that I was slowing Pete down, I found a second wind and
after finding my own pace I managed to run the final 4 miles barring a
small hill in the last mile. After coming off a hill on to a road you
turn the corner and see a 200m to go sign, a man behind me began to
sprint but I found the energy to fight off his challenge.
Pete
only actually finished a few minutes ahead of me and he caught up the
man from Wales. Pete was shocked to see me as I think he thought I would
be walking the last few miles. I picked up my mug with squash and
congratulated Pete on a great run.
We
drove back listening to the FA Cup final in the car and I even managed
to catch the last 30 minutes when I got home. It was a hard but
enjoyable day which would only have been made better if Stoke had beaten
Man City!!!!!!
Wimborne
results were:
35 – Pete
Lemon – 5:13:59
41 – Craig Dixon – 5:17:24
