I last ran this race in 2006, and recollect it being a fast run, on quiet rural roads. So, four years later, with a marathon in two weeks’ time, I thought it would be ideal to revisit this run and set down a marker. I was quite apprehensive to recive notification of a route change; the accompanying map showed what looked to be a convoluted and rather contrived route with a mixture of road, trail, track and (horror of horrors!) fields and stiles. Bye, bye pb. My initial reaction was to withdraw and run the Holymoorside 10k instead, but curiosity got the better of me. Thursday evening found me with map in hand, trotting around the course. A key section of canal path was closed for resurfacing and forced me to reroute. It was getting worse – I hoped that the organiser was aware of this work (I did later contact David, the organiser with Clowne Road Runners – he was aware). I wasn’t sure of the route for the last mile over the fields, and returned home being resigned to running a race which would tell me nothing about my relative marathon fitness.
The race itself was a complete revelation. A fast start from the Hewett Arms, and up to the old colliery site – a dead-ringer for Teversal, hiding a coy slope on the far side. This was to be the only climb, other than the mini mountains over each canal bridge. Some nifty slalom squeezes by closed lock gates protruding into the fastest running line, a little wobble, trying to avoid falling into the lock, and a deja-vu of running along Froggatt Edge. The field has well spread by this point and the leaders have vanished (abducted by aliens? – I may be in the prize money!). A jink right, over another little hump-bridge, a bit like the mogul skiers, and into Rhodesia. Rather sweetly, several families have set up camp in their front gardens, and the “keep going, duck” makes me smile. Some greenery now makes an appearance; hurdling stiles (are you watching, Colin Jackson?) and cutting a swathe through the grass is a stark contrast.
Back into Shireoaks once again, and up the main street, to find our second section of canal, a sharp 180deg. turn across to the other side and watch the runners behind. Now for the grind. Rather sadistically, the quick return back to the Hewett Arms, and the finish, is blocked by a marshall. The only choice now is to take the long 1km section of road to the end and turn back over the fields. This road section is the only part of the run on which to hit a good sustained rhythm – but this strangely unsatisfying. The earlier twists and turns, like a Le Carre novel, make this punch line almost one-dimensional. Uncertainty is restored across a wheat field (shades of North by Northwest, especially with the nearby aerodrome), a simple rotary stile/ gate, which I contrive to get lost in, and then the last dash for the finish.
A superb course, full of scenic variations, run on all surfaces along with homely support en-route. I hope I’m not underselling this one!
A delight from start to finish.
I too have run the Larwood 10k previously but unlike Krish was tempted by the Holymoorside 10k which turned out to be a wonderful race through the most wonderful countryside. It was by no means easy as the first 4k were uphill and my time at the 5k half way mark made me wonder whether I was actually running backwards! But the downhill the other side of the moor made up for it and I not only won 2 (yes 2!!) trophies but beat Ron by 12 seconds!! Mind you if I tell you that he stopped 1k into the race to take a phone call (urgent, from the vets about Mollie so he had to) it doesn’t sound so impressive!! I think the Vet nearly had him arrested for heavy breathing down the phone!!.the only other Belper runner was Andy Parkin who finished an impressive 4th but I recommend it for next year.