Merthyr Mawr Christmas Pudding 10k Challenge
THE only way was up at the start of the Merthyr Mawr Christmas Pudding 10k Challenge in South Wales, as runners were faced with a stiff climb up Europe's biggest sand dune.
Dave King joined nearly 700 other runners for this popular race in Mid Glamorgan which focuses on the sheer 245 metre climb to the top over soft sand.
"It was not easy," said Dave. "It was difficult to run hard up the hill with so many people around running at a different pace. There was sand flying about everywhere. Your legs and arms were pumping hard, your lungs were bursting, it was really tough."
The dunes around the Big Dipper were used for the classic 1962 Hollywood movie, Lawrence of Arabia, and it was here that Olympic champion Steve Ovett did much of his stamina training.
The Merthyr Mawr 10km is a test of stamina, but is a fun race too along a mixture of sand dunes, forest paths, across a golf course and along a river estuary, with many runners dressed up for the occasion. There are a couple of testing climbs, plus some nice downhills too, along with two stretches where you run through an icy cold stream.
The upside was a drinks station at half way offering water, mulled wine and a mince pie, plus free soup and roll at the finish.
"No wonder this is one of the most highly rated race in the UK," said Dave, who got round the course which measured 5.7-miles on the Garmin in a pedestrian 51min 37sec.