The Black Death Run 2010
I'm not sure why I chose to run this race, in fact WHAT WAS I THINKING! There's a clue in the name, the location (edge of Exmoor) and when you check out the start line to discover it is a gateway made of two large scythes with the words 'START TO HELL' written above. Many of the marshals and the race director are dressed as the Grim Reaper. Particular thanks go to the marshal at mile 6 with the full face cover who didn't say a word not even a laugh as we crawled by (although I do think his shoulders were going up and down).
Now I love hills in fact I ran a 7.5 miler round the QE country park and up Butser Hill on Tuesday and felt quite smug about my 2300 ft ascent and 8.45 pace. Let's just say it became apparent by mile two that this race was going to be more about completing than about time. I have completed half marathons quicker than this (1 hour 54). In the 10 miles we completed 4000 ft of ascent - the first two miles were killers and whilst I had thought rather disdainfully that I wouldn't walk found myself walking about a mile of that first two. In fact it was even hard work walking up some sections.
On the plus side, this was a stunningly beautiful venue, some of the friendliest organisers I have ever come across, there was a samba band to play us over the start line and they kept on playing until we were all back in. My family were kept occupied in circus school. My five year old spent all the time she could learning to juggle with clubs and has the bruises to prove it. There were five water stations on route and then juice, tea, coffee and a hog roast back at base with times posted up as they happened. We had to leave for the journey home after a quick wash in the river and so missed the band coming on in the afternoon.
All in all, this race had a great party atmosphere and I felt a huge sense of achievement crossing that line. I'll be back next year and hope to bring some more stubbies with me.
Julia Park.