EdUKAid Sandy Balls 10km Multi-terrain – 10 October 2010

Reports from race director Tim Harris and racer Kim Brackley.

The race director’s story …

Sunny weather is always a plus when racing but when added to breathtaking views and beautiful wildlife in the heart of the New Forest. It created an amazing atmosphere at EdUKaid’s first fundraising 10km race. EdUKaid is a charity based in Downton that help educate children in one of the world’s poorest countries, Tanzania. Money and time is donated to build classrooms, schools and teach staff and children so that they can make a brighter future for themselves.

With over 100 runners in the 10km and nearly 50 fun runners in the 2km, well over a thousand pounds was raised for the charity. The 10km race started on a multi-terrain track that leads out to Hampton Ridge in the heart of the forest. Although the stoney/gravel track posed a challenge to all runners it was the hills that quickly became the biggest difficulty. However, the spectacular views from the top acted as considerable consolation. As it was an out and back route every runner got to enjoy each hill from two different perspectives.

Wimborne AC were represented by both Graham Whiffen and Kim Brackley. Graham finishing 8th man home and Kim 13th lady, an impressive result on such a challenging course. Many volunteers, lots of help and generous donations for charity made my first race as an organiser a special one and myself and the charity will hope to do it again next year. Could act as a perfect warm up for the Wimborne 10!!

Tim Harris

A racer’s story …

After turning up early to enter on the day, I decided it would be a good idea to pass the time reading a book in my car. Luckily I decided to have a look round and found all the entrants leaving the site …. the start was a mile up the road!

Luckily enough I ran up and tagged on at the end of the walkers (good warm up) and the race started in a small gravelled car park at 10am. The course had two long hills, the first of which was the hardest as you hit it almost straight away. The course was easy to run with one brook to jump/splash through. The water station at what I presume was 5k was the turnaround point and you headed back the same way which meant hitting the two hills in reverse, they were quite hard work (don’t really ‘do’ hills).

The finish was great, down hill and tarmac with a brilliant crowd of happy campers loudly cheering on everyone at the finish. Medal and small goodie bag plus squash and water drinks. Nice atmosphere and scenic views, very New Forest!

Kim Brackley