Report by Martin Downham
As someone who is often a little slow to pre-register for up and coming events, an on the day check (on facebook) indicated that only 15 places for this event were still available. As these places would be allocated on the night on a first come, first served basis, it was going to be a GAMBLE to make this journey to secure a place. This required an earlier than planned departure. Arriving bang-on time I was advised that only 8 places were now available. Phew. Sadly, later, 2 hopeful runners were refused places. I’ve been there!
Upper Whiston is a charming venue surprisingly close to Junction 33 on the M1. It is accessed via some narrow lanes which ultimately pass an impressive looking traditional village church. With the church bells ringing as I passed, the club house was next door and next to that was a large field which doubled up as a car park. For the full traditional village green feel, a cricket match was also in play.
The race started here, at the top of this field and headed over the field, down the hill, on to a mix of rough and narrow paths to Ulley Reservoir. A mid-reservoir bridge took us to the other side where we started our return, mostly on the same paths towards the finish (handily close to the clubhouse). There were a lot of narrow twisting paths on this section and passing runners heading the other way was often “interesting”. The memorable feature of these paths was the overhanging grass, of which there was enough to undo both my double tied shoe laces (a first) and this sadly cost me at least half a minute to re-knot them.
Race Day Summary
Date and Location: Wednesday 19th June 2024 – Ulley Res Race, organised by Rotherham Harriers – KMR 2024 – Race 4)
Terrain: 5 Miles mixed terrain (including lumpy tracks, long overhanging grass (and other summer vegetation), 2 plank timber bridges and a pleasant half loop of Ulley Reservoir)
Weather: Summer like (at last) – a dry warm evening
Route: Strava stats: 7.83km (elevation gain 107m. Flat “M” shaped)
Thanks go the organisers Rotherham Harriers & AC and the marshals who kept us safe over the testing under foot terrain.
Striders results:
| Position | Name | Time | Age Category |
| 56 | Martin Downham | 43:00:00 | M55 (11) |
Race winner was Dominic Fielding from Worksop Harriers in 28:58. First female was Cat Eddison from Rotherham Harriers in 34.37
Full results: here