Race Date: Sunday 1st June 2025

Another Rasselbock event that didn’t disappoint. I love these events! They are so relaxed, competitively priced with amazing feed stations at the base camp.

The event runs for 6 hours, with the option to run one loop or as many as you want within the ‘6’ hour time frame.

This was my first time at Gedling Country Park. There is parking on site, reasonably priced at £2 for the full day.

Gedling County Park, built on a former colliery site, has a lot to offer to runners and spectators alike with beautiful views and the opportunity to observe wildlife and connect with nature. I saw swans and signets as I was running past the ponds. There is a café with indoor and outdoor seating, wooden sculpture trail and children’s play areas; ideal for runners with a young family.

The course is 5.35K loops, offering some undulation and amazing views. It is mainly tarmac or gravel paths, with an area of loose rubble on a downward path. The paths are wide enough to allow runners aiming to cover longer distances to comfortably pass runners taking the course at a steady pace, families and dog walkers.

I need to build my mileage up in readiness for my next marathon, so I had made the decision to run/walk 6 laps to cover around 20 miles.

It was very humid on Sunday. Lap 1 was a combination of run and walk up the steeper sections. I wasn’t alone in taking walk breaks!

Rasselbock events offer runners the option to take a break between laps, refuel and chat to other runners. I chatted to other women who had signed up for the same reasons as I had, to run a set distance in a supported environment, where they feel safe!

Drinks and real food were on offer including accommodating vegetarian, vegan and gluten free diets. I took advantage of the feed station and stopped for a break after each lap.

After doing laps 1 and 2 with a combination of run/walk, there was a gentle breeze as I was ready to begin lap 3. This was welcome. I wanted to run continuously for at least one loop.

I was happy to run/walk laps 4, 5, and 6. It was very warm and challenging to run in the conditions. There was a brief spell of rain, as I started lap 6. It didn’t last more than about 10 minutes.

Despite the warm weather, this was a brilliant event, offering an opportunity to take photographs and chats to local residents who were taking an interest in the event. I discovered an amazing place to re-visit,

After 6 laps, I asked to ring the bell. I was invited to walk another 2 laps. There was plenty of time. I decided to resist the temptation, rather than risk injury.

All runners were given a bespoke medal at the end of the event.

There were 82 participants altogether running from 1 lap to the winning 11 laps from Michael Bland in 5.37.55. The winning female was Sarah Thornton Flowers who ran 9 laps in 5.52.35.

Striders Results: