l Race date: 30 October 2022

Race report by Brian Jenkins

This was my second go at this Halloween themed event, the first (in 2021) was characterised by torrential rain at the start and large bodies of standing water that were completely unavoidable and needed to be waded through (so it seemed at the time).

Both times, parking was easy enough and the race village (and the all-important start and finish) was at Outwood Portland Academy on the outskirts of town. Plenty of toilets were available, and there were stalls selling food and drinks, and a few selling running accessories. The weather the second time was unseasonably mild, with no sign of the rain that marred the previous running of the race. All good.

With this being one of the twelve races designated for the Striders’ Road Race Championship, a good showing of Striders was assured (and so it proved to be). The team photo was pre-arranged and took place beside the steps that led to the start line, just prior to the send-off.

The start line itself had signs showing various estimated finishing times so runners knew where to assemble, and after a short speech from a Deputy something-or-other from the local council (who sounded like he was dictating a memo) we were off and through the arch marking the start line.

The route turned left towards the grounds of Clumber Park (a National Trust property) and undulated considerably (a regular feature throughout the race) down a quiet country road. The crowd at the start line thinned-out as we encountered the many uphill segments.

The route progressed to Clumber Park itself (where most of the race was to take part) and the route around it was a circuitous one over paths (and a small section over grass), none of it was overly steep, but the theme of constant undulation was maintained.

The organisers of the race take pride in the fact that the race is considered to be in the top 10 of the most scenic races in the UK, and yes, the autumnal colours were truly wonderful, with only a thin dusting of fallen leaves (as befits the season). There was a long straight section through woodland, and to add to the entertainment there were some humorous “demotivational” signs displayed along the road, one stated that “the race complaints department is located at the first water station” (a few miles behind where the sign was located), my favourite one was “It’s a flat course, with considerable P.B. potential, by Sheffield Running Club”, good to see that the hills we get to train on got a mention (if only obliquely).

The route then passes into the grounds of Worksop College, then back to the road we came out on, and on to the finish.

I crossed the finish line, closely followed by my nearest competitor in the “Toys R Us League” (the 4th division if you will, of the road race leagues). Kevin Wong was only 2 points behind me in the league, and I knew he was gunning for me. I was completely unaware of his presence behind me, but it became obvious that if I had faded at the finish, Kevin would be ready to pounce and beat me to the finish line, such is the nature of competition. I had a good race, and can only conclude that Kevin had had one too.

The undulating nature of the course was an issue in the rain-affected 2021 race, as it was at the bottom of the dips where the water accumulated, but there were no such issues in 2022, the near constant undulation added to the challenge, and of course, what goes up must come down. All-in-all a good day out.

Oh, and I was hoping for a long-sleeved finishers shirt (like last year, but no, it was only a t-shirt, my only grumble. Each finisher was awarded a medal (instead?) which weren’t given out last year, which isn’t quite as good (in my books anyway).

1,137 Runners completed the race (66 of them Striders) and it was won by James Lonsdale (Worksop Harriers & AC) in 01:13:02 and
Natalie Burns (Lincoln Wellington AC) in 01:22:50.

Striders results: