Some Carnies will go anywhere and everywhere to Show the Vest and Mark Dorrell is no exception!

Here's his race report  ..............

"Sunday 4th May saw my brother in law (Darren) and myself finally line up to run a race together. It was his idea to run the off road Neolithic Half in 2006 which had got me back into running. Unfortunately on that day he had pulled out due to injury but I had enjoyed it enough to return today.

Leaving the car at Stonehenge we were bused to the start high on Salisbury Plain. En route the bus climbed Redhorn hill which is on the full marathon course from Avebury stone circle and the 400 foot climb, which would come at about 10 miles, reinforced our decision that the marathon was definitely not for us.

We had about half an hour to wait before the start and watched the Cani-cross run set off. Some of these dogs were not hanging back even if their owners were.

Finally we were off onto the rolling tank tracks across the plain. Darren, who again wasn't fully fit set off at about 6.30 pace and I wasn't sure if I could stay with him, especially in view of the ups and downs. However by about 4 miles he was feeling the heat and I had settled into what  I hoped would be a sub 1.30 pace. Previously there had been mile markers along the route but not this time so I just ran on feel as by now Darren and his Garmin were paying for the early pace. After about 6 miles the course flattens and I felt comfortable approaching the Bustard Inn where the terrain changed to footpath. Finally with 2 miles to go Stonehenge came into sight and I could see 2 runners about 400m ahead. With the time looking good I tried to overhaul them but couldn't get there despite closing to within 40m of the slower one. The time of 1 hour 28.27 beat my previous time here by 8 minutes and 6th place was a real bonus. Darren rolled in 4 minutes later in 9th. Overall an enjoyable traffic free race on mostly good off road terrain. The winners time was 1 hour 24 so this one could be for the taking by a fit Carnie!"