Report by: Jim Rangeley
Race Date: 26th December 2024
On a wonderfully clear Boxing Day morning, 210 runners lined up for a lap of Totley Cricket Pitch to then head up the hills along Strawberry Lea lane. The 8.5km route heads on the tarmac for a short while before hitting the woods and climbing for the first time through the trees.
Back down the hill again to the stream, some opted to use the stepping stones, I forded the river with a couple of others around me. Climbing again through Strawberry Lea plantation and up Devil’s Elbow.
The top of the hill flattens slightly to a runnable section along Blacka Moor and we left the trees to clear skies, a herd of deer and a handful of cyclists. It was at this point my tiring legs didn’t pick my feet from the ground well enough and an errant lug from my shoe made contact with a rock. I ended up pretty much face first in a puddle of mud specifically shaped for me. The mud covered me from bonce to boot, it was in my beard and later I even found some deep in my ear. But largely uninjured I carried on along round the path to Totley Moor with amazing views over Sheffield all around.
Jim – Mud-splattered but still running!
The long and at times steep descent off the hill back to the road is a great way of finishing the race. Quick purposeful feet, arms wide and in no time back to the pavilion for the finish. Still dressed as Arnie in the Predator, a quick wipe down from the medic revealed a slight cut to the knee and a few scrapes, but no lasting damage.
Overall a great race, fun route, full of festive spirit and it was unseasonably warm enough for us to enjoy a pint in the beer garden of the Cricket Inn before heading home (which was especially handy given I probably couldn’t go anywhere near any soft furnishings). Thanks to Totley AC for a brilliant reason to drag myself out of bed on Boxing Day.
Link to the results post here.