The first
Brutal Run of 2012 went off to start the new year as they meant to go on - fast, tough and very Brutal.
The gallery is now live here
http://bit.ly/Brutal10-2012-race1-official-photos
197 runners set off on a dry, warm January morning to do battle with the countryside of the Longmoor army training area, and then 2k in they found the water hazard... With a tougher gully run after the first water and more sandy hill climbs, this years Brutal Longmoor was certainly harder than last years.
Whether it was New Year challenges and resolution beings fulfilled, or just for the feeling of being alive a hardy band of competitors took to the conditions unlike ducks to water (because they float) and ran through the frost touched route. One of the most notable observations (apart from the ridiculous amount of smiling that was going on) was that the race field was made up of a much more even balance of young and older competitors and male female. Usually races are biased a bit towards the male 30-50yr old veteran but there is clearly something in the gravity of a Brutal run that attracts all-comers.
I had to edit this selection down from 68 images to 18 - just to give you a feel for the amount of fun that can be had whilst running and watching a Brutal 10...
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| The water was easier this year - lower and no ice |
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| There was still competitive racing to get through the water first |
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| The three amigos - helped each other round all the way |
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| These two kept each other going well through the last day of the holidays |
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| Man Down ! Dez goes for a burton |
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| Let out from london, Alex Reid discovered the real meaning of Brutal |
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| Concentrate at all times |
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| No alligators or crocodiles, just check behind you |
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| It's always good fun wading through mud and water with friends, and stopping to enjoy the moment |
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| Keep your eyes on the goal ahead for 2012 |
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| Almost done ! |
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| Happy as a hell in the Brutal mud |
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| Double thumbs after taking the harder Tunnel option |
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| Incoming splash at the camera lens - nothing like being close to the action, except the smell |
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| Off up the gully |
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| Nobody got stuck, if you were hard enough to take the tunnel option |
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| A quick run across the sand dunes and home |
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| He realised he had forgotten to enter the next Brutal run - but all was not lost - it's on March the 17th, but hurry up - there are limited places |
Well done to Alan, Colin and Dave for another great Brutal run, safe, challenging and hard work for all the competitors, as well as great marshalling (from probably the most offroad-race experienced marshals you will ever meet) and probably the most thoroughly marked out course you will ever come across
. Only one person pulled off the course yesterday - his first run in four years and after the first water hazard he became a justified recepient of the "silver cloak of warmth" I hope he's warmed up by now !
Next Races
So, you have two months to get fit and fearless for the next
Brutal Run at windmill hill. Between then and now its the county and national cross county championships, as well as the
Epsom Perch,
The G3, and the
Deal Half Marathon all of which will get you into good shape, hill ready and up for a race.
Right, I'm off for a quickish 5k, lunch and then hopefully - order processing. Remember we correct and photoshop every image ordered (except the instant downloads), so be assured that mud will show up beautifully !
Until next time
Anthony
Click here to find your next race
| Recent races of interest - because forgetting is not an option |
| 11/12/2011 |
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| 10/12/2011 |
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| 12/11/2011 |
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| 15/10/2011 |
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| Some to go soon from August |
| 28/08/2011 |
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| 27/08/2011 |
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The Albums below will be ARCHIVED SOON!
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| 30/07/2011 |
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| 27/07/2011 |
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| 24/07/2011 |
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| 24/07/2011 |
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