Quite how we managed to avoid the rain this weekend is quite amazing, it all dried off before the start at Woolmer, although it could be argued that it doesn't realy matter at a Brutal if you are running it - but it does make a big difference to the marshals, volunteers and organisers - so everyone ends up happier !
Then it went through again on Saturday night in time to leave Abingdon and Cabbach Patch 10 both dry, although a little on the windy side - meaning the opportunity for these two very flat races run along near the river banks are ideal PB material.
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The weekend of route changes and locations...
The new route for
Brutal Woolmer and new parking arrangements seemed to work a treat for everyone.
In terms of where we can cover the course - working out where we can get somewhere earlier and then get back over to a later spot took some thought. It meant we got some new spots - although not without a bit of hard work - if some of you noticed me clinging to the side of that ditch at 3k trying not to slide in with my kit with my foot braced against a small tree - yes - interesting new spots, followed by a sprint back across the course to get to the 9k spot. Seb had a similar journey, although more scenic than muddy, then a walk back to the finish, and Mike had the earliest shot and then over to the bog at 7k.
Alas with Gunge alley now is about a 4km walk and only half way around the course - that meant that this year it was ruled out on simple logistics - but the four new locations we covered all added up to a better race coverage overall.
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| That 3k ditch crossing gets busy |
The
Cabbage Patch 10 offers it's own logistics problems - mostly caused by london traffic and a massive river down the middle of the course ! The general rule is that for most races you need the race to thin out a bit so you can get some decent photos of everyone - however that bridge is only at one point on the course, so it's important to get that in the shot background, plus on the other side of the river - everything is backlit with the sun - so you'd end up with those lovely sillouette photos if you arn't careful.
If the sky had stayed slightly cloudy it would have been better so the bridge wasn't too bright in the background, however the bank undergrowth had been cleared properly this year - so there is more of a view.
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| Seriously we didn't pose this one |
The Abingdon Marathon had some small but significant course route changes this year, starting on the track exit instead of on the track, and changing the start of the lower course loop meant that the waterstation table was bang exactly on the apex of the corner I regularly used to use to get everyone just leaning around nicely.
This meant that instead of getting the town square crossing shot (always a bit crowded), that two of us covered the very short section of the course where we can get a bit of river in the background, and then change our locations slightly at around the 14 mile mark to make the best of it. Sally was covering the usual loop locations - as the sun direction and trees and buildings around there determine those locations automatically.
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| 1k out of the start and everything looked ok |
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So here's a few other shots from the races... First off the Brutal
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| Given the reaction to this shot of Bailey eating his owner and running over me on Facebook, I'll just start taking pictures of the dogs at the Brutals. |
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| It is the second coming. Actually he was just on his first lap. |
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| Nobody jumped clear across despite some pretty good efforts |
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| If you're wondering if it's competitive at the sharp end of the race - this was second and third at 3k fighting for position to get out |
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| Probably regretting all those bangles weighing her down at this point |
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| Welcome to the River Styx my devils |
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| New haircut for Julie's dog |
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| Suddenly he was reminded of that critical project at work that also had a creek and no paddle involved |
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| Never been happier |
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| Todays winner of the Harry Enfield Lookalike competition (can't be awarded due to flappy number) |
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| The Marshals enjoy watching the Brutals just as much as you enjoy suffering in them |
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| Oi ! Really ? A hand out perhaps ? Nope - no sexisim here - everyone for themselves.. |
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| Making light work of the bog |
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| Making hard work of the bog |
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| Jayne picks the hard route to the OCR world champs in the states next week |
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| ah, you picked the Vicar of Dibley route then ? |
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| And this is how you make Mud bread... |
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| Tony Blair lookalikes apply here |
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| In order from left to right - 1st, 2nd, 5th, 4th. No idea where 3rd had got to at the 2k mark !! |
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| You know it's a bad day when you have a devil on both shoulders |
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| Top teamwork for the finish ! |
Cabbage Patch 10
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| Fast off round the first bend with the Run Fast crew |
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| all looking good after Richmond Bridge |
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| This is how you wave at a camera. A lesson for everyone in proper celebration. |
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| We are sure we didn't set this shot up, but it does look a bit like we did doesn't it... next years race marketing material... |
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This is what you look like after running sub-5 for 10 miles. Really ??? Awesome time of 49:35 by Loitarakwai Olengurisi
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| Equally non-believable poise from Steph Twell for 56:05 to win the ladies. I think I might manage that on a bike. Just. |
Meanwhile on the other very flat race on Sunday at Abingdon
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| Clearly not prepared for this - he looks too relaxed |
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| He was a she, and took a walk on the wild side |
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| He did quite well without the elephant |
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| Nailing it for the win |
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| sub 3:30 feels good |
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| Sub 3:30 doesn't feel good |
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| Getting down into the set position for a quick extra lap at the finish |
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| Sheer relief |
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| Good team work |
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| Jan feels the burn of a V45 second place as Jon looks on. |
Very big well dones to all the race marshals and directors - the weather held off, and as far as we can tell, nobody did anything too silly out there on the courses...
Next weekend is the Beachy Head Marathon, one of the most iconic courses in the UK - so we will see you there -
http://www.visiteastbourne.com/events/BeachyHeadMarathon.aspx on Saturday...before the clocks go back for a nice lie in on sunday to recover !!!
Until next time, (
and don't forget to vote)
Anthony
