Noel reports on the race:
3 Harriers took part in the Northants "Shires and Spires" Ultra this weekend. Noel Jones completed the 34 mile course it in 6 hours 38 minutes. Darren Miller completed his first ultra distance race in 6 hours 54 minutes. Paul Hudson completed approximately 20 miles having started late. We were given a map book and sent on a tour of some of Nothamptonshire's picturesque countryside. I had loaded the course into my Garmin which made me a popular person for a while! It was a wet start but the weather went against the forecast and cleared up after about an hour so for most of the race we had near perfect conditions. As usual it was a social event. I started running with a friend that I met last year on a similar activity and soon met up with another person that I ran another race with last year. For a while we had a group of a dozen or more running together and it felt like a Saturday morning club run. Towards the end we fragmented a bit as people had varying amounts left in their legs. We were well supported at the checkpoints with fruit cake, savouries and water. Trish Miller kept popping up around the course doing support duties and we even had a 'fetchpoint'.
Darren reports on the race
To say I was nervous would be an understatement. Well why should I be?, I have run some marathons before and it's only a further 8 miles. I tried to fool myself!
I arrived with the wife and the rain was sheeting down at Lamport Hall. I registered then began the shall I wear shorts or trousers, will I need my camelbak routine. I ended up in shorts with the camelbak. Met up with Noel from the club, good to see a friendly face (albeit a seasoned Ultra man!)
I think there were about 50 brave souls to ready the assault on the Northants countryside. I believe there were at least 10 of us running our first ultra so I felt in good company. We were provided with mapbooks and compasses were recommended. I had the mapbook and relied heavily on Noel who had the route programmed into his Garmin.
The run - lots of hills, beautiful houses and good company. Yes believe it or not it was enjoyable and I would do it again. I feel like I have been run over by a steam roller but I expected that. The organisation was spot on, good well fuelled checkpoints, possibly hard to find at times, both savoury, sweets and drinks with lots of support provided. Even a fetchme team to cheer us on and provide food.
Anyone that is thinking of doing this, it is well worth it. You actually get to walk up the hills as it is the done thing!
Not overly impressed with my time but it was difficult to gauge the pace and well it was the first one