Originally planned to take place at the begining of December,but delayed due to the heavy snowfall the night before, the DBMax Westonbirt Christmas 10k went ahead 3 week later, but still had the festive feel that it has done in the past.

Although the Christmas meal option had been taken out from the original plan, there was still an air of Christmas spirit around the 500 or so that managed to make the rescheduled date. Maybe the Mulled Wine, Mince Pies and Turkey Baps that were on offer after the race had something to do with that, although I feel it was more likely down the the ever efficient organiastion from  the DB Max team, who never fail to put on a superb event.

Registartion via the DB Max online service was easy to complete, race numbers with names printed on were mailed out in advance, and there were also some being collected on the day. Superb communication via email and social media, kept everybody informed regarding the rearrangment and this all seemed to run smoothly.

A few issues with parking this year, mainly due to not wanting to park a large amount of cars on the surrounding fields due to being very soggy, but everybody seemed to get parked up in time and ready to race by the advertised midday start time a bag drop facility within the magnificent Westonbirt House allowed runners to assemble on the lawns for their race briefing, Runners were then led around to the startline by the race pacers, of which I was lucky enough to be part of, pacing the 60min group.

Despite the strong winds, and chill in the air, a happy crowd lined up in the most wonderful setting for the start and finish of a run, Westonbirt house provide a majestic backdrop for a race to take place, and the surrounding grounds and countryside just add to the glory.

Starting bang on time, the two lap course comprised mostly of roads around the surrounding villages and farms that border the House, with just a small section on grassland in the gardens of the property.

At times the public roads were a little busy with road traffic, but a good amount of well informed, and well supervised marshalls coupled with some common sense by drivers, ensured there were no problems. The recent rainfall made for a few muddy stretches on the narrower roads, and some potholes needed to be taken with care, but the mostly flat course was not too taxing for an after Christmas "Wear off the excess" run!  

The course was well signed and acurate KM markers meant it was easy for me to ensure that my pacing was on the mark.

A water station was sited at the midway point of the 10k, just as runners set out for lap 2 and provided water and jelly babies if required

On finishing the race up the steps off the main entrance to the Great Hall, runners were handed water and there was the usual DB Max supply of sweets and flapjacks to refuel with straight away, one of the best finishers medals I have seen for a long time was cheerfully hung around your neck, and due to the chip timing facility embeded into the race bib, you were able to get an instant print out of your result to have in your hand, as well as them being available instantly via the DB Max timing website

Highly recommend this run to anybody interested in it for 2018, as would I for the Easter and Summer events that are planned there for next year, in fact anything that DB Max stage is well worth considering.