This was a really enjoyable half marathon – off the road with some gradual hills that ended just when you’d had enough of them! ( Gary would hate it). For those who ran the March half, they had apparently changed the route completely and this one was supposedly hillier but apart from a long climb on mile 5, it really didn’t seem that bad. (Not compared to running round Croft anyway!). The trails were quite hard and sometimes stony underfoot (you could have run it in trainers), but it was very pleasant winding through the forest and the organisation was superb: lots of parking, lots of loos, friendly marshals and a prompt start. The morning was damp and overcast but a good temperature for running.
After missing the summer cross country races, I was really pleased to be out and running at an event again. Only Liza and I ran from Croft but it was a very friendly race so had a few interesting chats with others on the easier stretches.
Times were slower than the March race with the winner finishing in 1:19:33 and the fastest female in 1:35:29. I was pleased to come in 120 th out of 461 (18th lady) in 1:51:27 and Liza (who was suffering from a recurring leg injury) came in 1:58:21(43 rd lady).
I would really recommend this half-marathon and will definitely do it again.