I drove over on the morning of the race, and it was quite warm in Shropshire. Parked up, registered, and met up with Matt Hart (founder of TORQ), Jon Hedger and Tracy Dean (TORQ Performance Trail Team members). It also gave me a chance to have a look at the course map where I was pleased to see it was almost all off-road. Hard to see where they got the figure of 2300 feet of climb, but I found that out later!
Got myself ready, packed 3 TORQ gels in my back pocket as although I knew I would be fine on the flat, my "hill legs" hadn't quite recovered. A slow jog to the start where there was an entertaining race briefing, a bit of info about a steep hill, and a chance to eye up the disturbingly narrow path up ahead. Best I elbow a few people out of the road then...
At a shout of "GO", we were off and in fairly short order found myself stuck behind a couple of slower gentlemen who had somehow found their way in front of me. Eventually go round them to see 1st, 2nd and 3rd legging off. Head down then. It was undulating for the first 2.5 miles, but managed to hold on to 5th until we came to the steep bit. Lucky there was a rope to help get me up! Legs not so happy on this, and the 2 people behind caught up then passed me. Drink station up the top, down goes a gel then crack on.
Nice little descent, then on to the climb up to the high point. It's effectively a 3 mile, 800 ft climb, so it's all runnable, but when you are pushing it, and you've left your climbing legs at home, it's hard work! Poked in another TORQ gel at a water station for a pick me up! Made it to the high point, which is also the turn around point and just over half way, in 8th place just behind Jon Hedger.
A cracking 900 ft descent is next, running back past the rest of the runners (some a bit close!) followed by a cheeky 1 mile/400ft climb on dead quads. Jon was still in sight so that kept me in focus. Had my last gel just before the water station up the top, then set my mind to catching him.
A 300ft descent, then undulating/flattish the rest of the way in. Jon looked like he had switched off, as I was gaining on him quite nicely! made it to within 30 metres before he noticed I was there,then he picked up to around the same pace as me, but I was slightly stronger on the up. I made it to within a few seconds by the end - if only it was a few hundred metres longer!
All in all, a cracking day out and a fantastic little race - well organised, and tough! Definitely be back, next time on fresher legs!
Some photos from the day here
TORQ gels were perfect, as ever and the new TORQ kit was fantastic as well - looking forward to using it on the Lakeland 50!
Thanks TORQ for fuelling my race!
