The Minstead Stinger
When Totton RC lost their 10k road race to the demands on the Sunday shopper they decided to come up with a new race altogether.
They devised the Minstead Stinger, a 9 mile multi terrain race through the New Forest at - wait for it - Minstead. If you have run the New Forest 10, take off a mile, add some hills, (stingers), and there is your race. For those you haven't done the 10, think of any of the New Forest RR10 races, double the distance and throw in a few stingers.
It turned out to be the hottest day of the year so far which made the three water stations most welcome, these were also the changeover points for the relay event. The start out of Minstead village hall was uphill and from then on the course undulated, the one road that had to be traversed was marshaled with stop/go boards so no problems there. The marshalling throughout was excellent, with one in particular reading the entry sheet and encouraging you by name.
At the finish were several marshals dressed in bee costumes, which with tea and cakes at very reasonable prices helped to sum up the whole event as brilliant. One for the diary next year without a doubt. Well done Totton RC.
The overall winner was Neil Richmond from Southampton Athletics Club in 55:55
The first lady was Susanne Enhard from Compton Harriers in 1:04:39
I was placed 26th in 1:11:25
There were 117 runners and 2 relay teams.
Paul Hammond.