Comments: |
A welcome return to the race calendar, after a one year absence, for “The Compton Downland Challenge” – a multi-terrain race over either twenty or forty miles based at The Downs School in Compton.
An interesting and scenic route over the rolling Berkshire Downs, making use of tracks, trails, footpaths and a few roads between the villages of this part of North Berkshire. One particularly good viewpoint was from the hills above Streatley looking down over the sweep of the Thames past Goring.
Weather conditions varied during the race (with string winds throughout), from a howling blizzard at the start through hazy sunshine to a terrific headwind for the final mile or so back into Compton - with a light hail shower thrown-in for good measure.
Over fifty lost souls opted to run the second (different) twenty mile loop to make the full forty mile course, but no HRRs were daft enough for that in this year's tortuous conditions.
Hot showers at the finish were very welcome as was the refuelling meal (of sausage, chips and beans followed by rice pudding) in the school canteen.
An excellent run by Mark Richards to be sixth overall and third MV40.
|