7th Jan 2024

Report by Jed Turner

After doing an indoor meeting last weekend at EIS competing over 400m and 800m I thought let’s go from one extreme to the other and tackle a 20k trail run. Madness you might think, but this is why I love running all distances and terrains, and if you can do it, then it. I did of course know that somehow, my training had to cover both running at speed to tackle the 400/800m distance, but also to ensure I had the endurance and strength to run the challenging if not daunting Round Sheffield Winter Run. I therefore put in some long Sunday runs to make sure my body was used to running the distance. However, as the race got nearer, and with lots of rainfall probably making the course extremely muddy, and an expected temperature of 2 degrees I modified my expectations, and decided I would take it easy.

Unfortunately, my brain doesn’t work that way, and as soon as we were asked to start, race mode kicked in. It wasn’t a normal race, as given there were 1,400 starters it was a staggered start with the so-called elite going first at 8.30am. I was classified as elite (?) so I had to be at Endcliife Park for 8am to get my timing dibber and be ready to race. Also, because it was a staggered start you didn’t really know who you were racing against, as your competitors could be anywhere in the field. As I haven’t done the race before, I was nervous about the equipment, and not really sure about what expect. I knew it was 11 stages of mixed distance and terrain, so all I could do was just see how it goes.

The first stage was predominately path, up to Forge Dam, and then the second more gruelling stage up Porter Valley, followed by a long walk to Limb Valley decent. I happened to be running with a strider called John Eggington, and it was nice to have someone to socialise with and reassure me of the course. I enjoyed the run-down Limb Valley, and also the 4^th stage through Ecclesall Woods – both pretty quick sections. Stage 5 was Beauchief Woods, a pleasant and familiar section of the route, before getting to stage 6, a tough 800m uphill through Chancet Woods. At this point, we were well over half way, and my legs were holding up. The next stage was Graves Park, again home ground for me, and predominately path, so worked hard to get to the finish, knowing there would be along break before stage 8. Stage 8 was Lees Hall Golf Course winding down towards Lees Hall Road, where I live. Very odd to be passing my house, and I was certainly tempted to call in for a cup of tea. The next stage was Meersbrook Park, a stage I was looking forward to, as this is where I do my hill sessions, but rather than running up it was all downhill. The walk to the next stage was rather nice, as a bunch of us were thinking this is really the last stage, although said to be the toughest. They were not wrong, it certainly was tough, but knowing it was the penultimate stage, I gave it everything. The last bit I walked with John to the final stage, a 400m sprint through Endcliffe Park to the finish. However, it wasn’t a sprint, it was a gruelling slog through mud, unable to get any grip, and the finish line never appearing to get any nearer.

I had finished. It was a wonderful and very enjoyable race. I collected my ticket showing my position and times for each segment. My time was 1:26:57. And then with absolute shock and amazement it said I was 2^nd M60 as current leader had run 1:26:53. Four seconds in it. This was hard to digest as I hadn’t seen this other runner, and 4 seconds over 20k is nothing. I don’t mind losing at all, it was just not knowing I was losing, and the margin, which took me time to digest. On reflection, this is what makes this race exciting, you don’t know the result until all the times are in. Congratulations to him I say whoever you are. (editors note it was Philip Cowell)

As usual there was a great Striders turnout.

We were successful in a number of category prizes:

• Sian Evans second in the female category (1:23:09)
• Nick Booker second in the M50 (1:24:48).
• Nicola Rafferty first in the F60 (1:46:01)
• I was second in the M60 (1:26;57).

And lots of other amazing runs.

Male Winners were Chris Jones and Harvey Martin in 1:08:33

Female Winner was Anna Firth in 1:20:29

Strider results