The run is on Saturday, with a 12:10 start to fit in round
the bus timetable, and it’s rather damp and misty. Although it’s nowhere near
as wet as last year. There are 700 of us in the 10K, which is now no longer
split over two days and means parking all the cars is quite an issue but they just
about cope. We make sure of a space by arriving early and parking in the
National Trust car park by the Sticklebarn. It’s a choice of £7 donation to
National Trust to park there or a £5 donation to the Brathay Trust if you park
in the race car park. Both are worthy causes.
Many of the runners are in fancy dress and I dress up as a
frozen turkey still in its shrink rap, as I try out one of L's new ponchos in a
bid to keep dry. Although I don’t run in it.
Perhaps I should have done as it might have given me an
excuse for being outwitted in the race by a Christmas Pudding that although it huffed
and puffed its way up the one big hill, it positively rolled down the other
side. Although not stopping for a mull wine at the drinks station, as I did,
gave it a distinct advantage.
My time of 47:49 is 22 seconds quicker than last year, a
small victory I suppose. They hand me a Sainsburys Christmas pudding as I cross
the line, which will no doubt sit in the cupboard for most of the year. We’re
not big Christmas pudding eaters. Much more to my liking is the Hawkshead's Dry
Stone Stout they had on in the Sticklebarn for a post-race tipple.
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