Houghton 11k Trail Race
On Sunday a handful of us decided to go and do a slightly more low key event than what most people were watching on the TV. Jennie and Andy Lee, Paul Hammond, Jane Butler and Neil Jarvis travelled to Houghton, a picturesque little village close to Stockbridge.
Race entry was extremely cheap at only £8 and while queuing to pay we were teased by the ladies from the WI with gorgeous looking sponge cakes which nearly got us forgetting about the race and just tucking in.
The event was more than just an 11k, with a 5k fun run and a 14k and 31k cycle ride. With scenery typical of Midsomer Murders or Miss Marple we were pleased when the race was about to start and for the older runners like Paul and John there was a familier face with a gun.
The younger members like myself did not recognise the man but I was told it was none other than Dickie Davies, a sports presenter from the 1970's. The race was nearly all off road with about 2km of uphill early on and then endless miles of country tracks and footpaths which runners who enter the Clarendon Way or Test Way events would find familiar as it crosses these routes at about 8 & 9km.
This race seemed to pass very quickly especially with such beautiful scenery to look at and friendly marshalls to cheer you on and offer you water. The race was won by Graham Bungay from Totton Running club in 42 minutes and 24 seconds.
Paul Hammond was the first Stubby home in 50 minutes and 53 seconds and he unfortunately missed out on being the 1st over 50 by 34 seconds. Neil Jarvis and Andy Lee were a couple of minutes behind and spent several miles of the race pushing each other along.
Jane Butler was the next Stubby in, looking extremely good and wanting to go around a second time until she was ushered into the finish funnel by Paul and Neil, not quite believing it could be over so quickly. Shortly afterwards Jennie Lee finished and Andy could finally go and get some of the cake that he had been thinking about for the previous hour. It was agreed by all that it is a race that should have more publicity as it is so good but you would not want to spoil it by having too many people there either. A race recommended by all of us.
Congatulations to all the Stubbies who completed marathons over the last two weekends.
Stubbington Green finishing times and positions.
13th Paul Hammond 50:53
21st Neil Jarvis 53:34
28th Andy Lee 54:55
71st Jane Butler 1:04:57
112th Jennie Lee 1:17:27