Race Diary, June
SO have you got the summer holidays planned? Will it be Butlins or Barbados this year - or maybe you will be a few weeks at home finishing off all those jobs you've been meaning to get round to?!!
Well, as a diversion why not plan ahead your races this summer?. We've got 59 stonking races for June listed on the website. All the races are within a couple of hours' drive from Hampshire - give or take the odd speed camera - and contain a variety of distances.
There's the South Downs Relay on June 3rd - Stubbington runners, contact Chris Hall if you're interested in taking part, and the Brading 10km the following week, which is the final event of the Hampshire Road Race League season. There's usually a good group of Stubbies who make the trip across the Solent to Ryde, where a coach picks you up to take you to the start at Smallbrook Stadium.
If you are looking for something a little different close to home, how about the Braishfield Beer Race on June 10th? This is a two-lap five mile race organised by Romsey Road Runners, and for all finishers there's a pint of beer waiting for them at the finish - or a soft drink if you choose!
Other highlights include the Needles Half Marathon and Full Marathon (June 4th), the ever popular D-Day 10km at the Mountbatten Centre (June 7th) and on the same night the Worthing 10km, the City of Salisbury 10 (June 11th), the Selsey 10k (June 18th) and if you are looking for something really challenging, why not think about the Midsummer Monro Half Marathon in Dorking, Surrey?
This takes place on June 24th. It is a half marathon on trails incorporating at least 3,000 feet of ascent - the height of a Scottish Munro. The route takes in eight tough ascents, and eight tough descents. There are pleasant views, but you won't be able to see much of them because of the sweat stinging your eyes.
The entry fee is not cheap, £25, but it includes a large donation to the race charity. Last year £1,200 raised in 2005. To estimate your time, add 25 per cent to your half marathon personal best.
What they said in 2004: "What a magic run", "Awesome", "Fantastic", "Easily harder than a full marathon", "Disgustingly hard", "Lovely finish", "Oh, for Christ's sake" (as she collapsed over the finish line), "A truly fabulous nightmare", "Great event. It was brutal, but well worth it."!