Tadworth 10
WHERE: Epsom Race Course
WHEN: Monday, 2nd January 2012
THE RACE. Started at 1.00 p.m. on a bright but chilly day. The 10-mile course consisted of two very undulating laps on grass, woodland paths, tracks and tarmac roads. Rain the previous day / night meant that the off-road parts were somewhat muddy and slippery.
RUNNERS. 359 Men 195 Women
FIRST MAN: Chris Busaileh of Herne Hill Harriers in 55:11.
FIRST WOMAN Sarah Pemberton of Epsom Oddballs in 1:07:26.
STUBBY: John Fairhurst 369th overall 1-31:17 (11th MV60 of 25)
FORMER STUBBY: Roger Fairhurst 66th overall 1-10:45 (40th Senior Man of 144)
Total finishers 554. Slowest finishing time 2-45:32
Comment.
The cold biting wind at the start on the exposed Epsom Downs made me wonder whether hat, gloves and 4 layers would be warm enough – fortunately they proved to be adequate. The hooter sounded promptly and we were off. Bottlenecks in the early part caused delays but after a mile or so we were mostly spread out. The race was well marshalled with the occasional Happy New Year greeting thrown in for good measure. The final stretch was into the wind and at the finish were we given fleece neck tubes with the Tadworth 10 logo which were fitting mementoes of the challenging but enjoyable race.