King Alfred's Torment
PAUL HAMMOND has had a quiet summer on the running front resting an injury, but he made his racing return at the weekend for King Alfred's Torment on the Somerset/Wiltshire border.
Organised by Yeovil Town Road Running Club, the race is described as a tough multi-terrain race over “7 Irish miles” around the beautiful Stourhead estate, taking in the sights of St Peter’s Pump, Six Wells Bottom and King Alfred’s Tower. All finishers received a burned cake.
Paul, who has been troubled by an achilles injury, finished 71st in a time of 59min 8sec, one of four Stubby runners who took part.
"I had a summer of different races planned until my heel went pop," explained Paul. "This was one of the latter but turned out to be my first.
"It was billed as 'a tough multi terrain race over seven Irish miles'. Spot on as far as I was concerned. Some of the hills were impossible to run up - though I suspect some did. There was woodland, hills, trails, hills tracks, hills, stiles, hills, gates and then some downhill.
"I think all the marshals were instructed to say, "this is the last hill" - there were a lot of last hills!
"Having said all that it was a really enjoyable race, well organised and marshalled by Yeovil Town RRC. Each finisher got a cake, a la King Arthur."
Barry Hards ran well for ninth place in a time of 48.38, while Stubbington team-mate, Graham Watts was 138th in 1hr 11min 23sec and Debbie Casey also completed the tough course placing 184th in 1:29.35.
The race was won by Ed Knudsen from Langport Runners in just over six minute mile pace with a time of 42min 50sec. Julie Humphries from Alton Runners, who finished 29th overall, was the first woman home in 53.06. A total of 191 runners took part.