We set off before seven just in case and got to the venue, South Brent, nice and early and trouble free. However there wasn't much activity apart from the RD unloading his car. I checked with him that we were at the right place but his lap top showed no evidence that we had preregistered. “We'll sort that out later” was obviously their Devonian equivalent of dreckly!

Being only a small village, the hope of a bistro breakfast or failing that, an ordinary cuppa meant a
hunt for the newsagent and maybe a Mars bar. At the exit, a chap pulled up with a Magic Roundabout
in tow and he was reassured that the organiser was not this silly old grey haired chap with a
yellow and blue vest on with four birds in tow but the other chap lugging a barbecue around.
Another chap turned up with an official looking jumper so we only outnumbered the officials 2 to 1.
A visit to the newsagents was followed by directions to the venue for our fellow competitors who
had got lost. By the time we got back it had livened up a bit and most of the field looked a bit fitter
than us. Registration confirmed this when Wendy's optimistic request for a lowdown on the course
AROUND South Brent, was instantly turned to pessimism when she was told you go UP and
DOWN the big Tor behind us.

A pleasant warm up area turned out to be the first lap before setting off. “If you could start more or
less level with the end of that building” was an unusual request from the starter who then said that
there were plenty of marshals out on the course apart from one or two side roads. 57 set off at the sound of go and it didn't take us long to assume Indian file out onto the roads. The first nip was followed by a bigger nip until we reached a hill that required pitons around your belt and not gels.

In total, there were 8K of climbs until the summit was scaled, take note that it was without oxygen
as that had been expended many climbs before. A big steep hill was the way of starting our descent
and we asked all passengers to keep their belts on until we reached the finish line, something
unachievable until the obligatory lap of the field had been done.

Janet was first home in a gnats over the hour, I was a navvie over 1.08, Wendy a Rizla under 1.14
and Jackie was listening to offers for 1.20. Poor Kathryn had a bit of a pollen reaction and had to
pull up but did get back in time to witness the witch burning, maypole dancing and resist proposals
of marriage from rich old farmers. The cricket match then started and the delights of the barbie
were sampled before the journey home.

I've taken the mickey but it was a thoroughly enjoyable day out running a race with great scenery
not only en route but from the very top, it was well marshalled despite the starters reticence and
was the friendliest venue you could wish for and its great charm was its naivety and Vicar of Dibley
feel. We all agreed it is well worth doing again and would be good to get a good team to go up next
year and make a day of it.

Steve Marks