Hope Valley (British Red Cross) 8.3 miles, all-terrain

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his is a beautiful course around Woolhope, Paget’s Wood and Haugh Wood near Hereford and was a great test before the cross-country league begins. The first half of road, tracks and fields was unfamiliar, but later certain tracks and hills also feature in the notorious Muddy Woody Race.

Torrential rain reduced the field from last year’s 105 to 77, but at the start the rain stopped and the sun shone a brief welcome. Mick Ligema ran an amazing race, coming in 7th place in 1: 01:47 out of 53 men. Liza’s fears were blown away as she breezed her longest race yet in 1:21:59. I just about managed to keep up and we crossed the line together joint 11th out of 24 women (56th out of the 77).

There was excellent marshalling for a long, winding, interesting route with plenty of parking and great facilities at the village hall. We all got a medal, hot drink and doughnuts/chocolate at the end.

Winner: John Pullen in 54:55, fastest lady Nicki Morgan in1:08.08, both also won the veteran trophies.

Rachel

Liza and Rachel, after a shower, in Hope Valley

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