Wild Deer Events offered 3 distances (5k, 10k and Half Marathon) on trails within  Rother Valley Park. The start was on the very familiar compacted gravel (with some tarmac) around the main lakes, and grass/mud paths on the back lakes and hill. There was a small swamp somewhere between the lakes with ‘floating’ planks and pallets to assist with crossings. Though for some, this wasn’t quite enough. The (Rother Valley) hill was muddy and a little slippery coming down (in any shoes).

 

The 10k and Half started together at 9.30am, just beyond the parkrun start area. This is about 5-10 minute brisk walk from the main car park. The weather on the day was near perfect: Dry, no wind and a chill in the air. The briefing fully covered our route markers (pink arrows for 2 laps, then blue arrows for the bonus lap of the small lake), to complete the full race distance.

(Courtesy of Wild Deer Events)

 

Unfortunately (en route) a marshal directed SOME OF US on to the yellow route (for the 5k runners). We naturally assumed they knew what they’re doing. It turned out they didn’t, so for those of us who took the shorter (inner loop) our total race distance was a mere 20k. As not everyone got this message, it was unclear (at the finish line) who had run what distance.

Those pesky signs (Wild Deer Events)

 

Anyway all finishers received a medal (wood style) and water. For those at Race HQ the Remembrance Day 2 minute silence was marked at 11am. Event T-Shirts were available to purchase. Water (and electrolyte) was also available en route so on a 2 lapper we had 3 water stops.

Overall, the longer races provides an opportunity to visit (via a race) the other parts of Rother Valley (away from the 5k loop and facilities).

Thanks go to the organisers and marshals (especially those at the top of the muddy hill).