Milland Valley Trail Race 2012

The Milland Valley trail race gallery is now live and online here:
http://bit.ly/milland-valley-2012-photo-gallery

The results are here:
http://liss-runners.org.uk/app/download/5787006872/Milland+results+2012.html

It's not often that whilst on the way to a race I consider turning around and heading home, but today was one of them. As I was stuck behind a Calor Gas tanker doing under 30mph, I was unusually happy to be trailing along at a steady pace, as it ploughed its way through the massive puddles of standing water on the road, sending huge arcs of tsunami over 10ft into the air, over pavements and 6ft fences and essentially clearing the road in front of me.  Which was nice.
Shame the same couldn't be said for the torrential rain that was also falling like several powershowers on full blast across my windscreen. By the time I got to Midhurst, it had faded a bit, making the single track roads into Milland slightly more naviagable... down to single wipers, but I left the headlights on all the same.

With just over 300 finishers in todays race it's changed ever so slightly over the years, but still attracts those who like a bit of a challenge, and not a flat road course. Many of the paths and routes are on narrow footpaths and trails, often ones that have been cleared in the week before so runners don't get stung to bits by nettles. This years race has been described as the muddiest, slipperiest, steepest race that one runner has ever done in the last 6 years, so it was a bit of a challenge.

On the bright side - it did stop raining in time for the start at 10:30, and then seemed to stay dry for the rest of the day - which was nice ! A bit of a tree tunnel shot at 4 miles first, make sure I got everyone, and then a 7 mile drive to get to the top car park at Wellbeding. I still got beaten there by the first few runners through though !

Very well done to Tom and the team from Liss runners on another well marshalled and organised event, in what were very tough conditions to make sure everthing was good to go at the gun !

Great Running from Emma for a 1:48:26 

He ran as a Mo-bot all the way round

Double thumbs up, good running.

Good fun running together

more double thumbs up !

Cool running up the last hill

Mind the tree roots

owch ! - she did manage to get up ok, (and said I could use the photos)

Preparation for his shorter race later on Sunday night in london

Matt enjoys the view over the valley to his left

Go here to enjoy the rest of the gallery:
http://liss-runners.org.uk/app/download/5787006872/Milland+results+2012.html

So, heads up - I'm finally taking some holiday for the first time in 6 years for this week so the office is closed (August 6th to 10th) although I'm sure I won't be kept away from the computer the whole week, especially with all this Olympics stuff. Orders are still being taken on and will be done in turn when I'm allowed to.

Next up is the Brutal 5k, 10k, and 21k at Bramshott, Liphook, (just north of Milland!) GU30 7QZ just off the A3, http://www.brutalrun.co.uk/dates/bramshot/ worth checking out if you enjoyed todays excitement !!

Otherwise - if you're of a triathlon intent - either the European Qualifiers at Worthing with Raw Enegy Pursuits http://www.rawenergypursuits.co.uk/ (including free photo downloads!) or you can take part in the Bewl Tri http://bewltriathlon.co.uk/bewltriathlon/index.html organised by Team Lifestyle - and yes - the reservoir is full ! (http://www.southernwater.co.uk/Environment/managingResources/reservoirLevels.asp)

And finally - don't forget that favourite one off opportunity to run through the private castle grounds at Arundel - in the Arundel Scouts 10k - http://bit.ly/arundel10k-entry again with free photos - on August the 26th - a must do race - at least once ! Book your place now !

Right, I'm off, have a good week and enjoy the rest of the Olympics.

Anthony