This was the second consecutive year that I had taken part in this event.  I said that I would give this race another go, even after last year’s fiasco where the course was marked too long.  It wasn’t the organisers fault that this happened so I thought I would give them a second chance.

My race number had already arrived in the post so registration was very straightforward, also those queuing for their number on the day seemed to be moving through quickly and efficiently.

I walked around the complex to get my bearings again and walked along to the start line to remind myself where to go.  “Run to the Hills!!!  Run for your livvvvvvvveeessssssssss!” Screamed Iron Maiden from the speakers by the start line.  After that came the familiar “Be running up that road. Be running up that hill” from Kate Bush.  How coincidental, two songs about running hills and this is a really hilly race! Oh the irony, this wasn’t a set up playlist was it?....

On the way back to the bag drop I bumped into Spider-Man himself, Darren Hendley.  If no one knows who Darren is, he is the man who Kate Middleton asked to high five during this year’s London Marathon.  With great power comes great responsibility and Darren decided to channel his inner Peter Parker and run today’s race in normal running gear, luckily he had his #teamblack hat on and there wasn’t a white visor in sight.....

We made our way round to the start line and after a quick, but very informative race briefing, the horn sounded and we were underway.  The beginning of this race always gets crowded, as the half and full marathon start at the same time, so I had to play catch up to get back to the front pack.  I was running up that hill like Kate Bush had sang and I left Heathcliff behind to get with the leaders.

The first three miles went by in a flash and none of the dreaded hills had made an appearance.  The course was slightly undulating, but the marshals were great and encouraging us all.  Also, as the weather was better than last year, there seemed to be more supporters on the course.  Not hundreds upon hundreds, but a nice subtle cheers and round of applause as we ran past.

Arriving after a downhill run at mile 4, we were met with our first noticeable hill that welcomed us just after mile 5.  Luckily for us, we were approaching roughly halfway and the little houses and cottages that lined the route were very picturesque.  I think I may have saw Cathy in one of the windows?....

The race is run around country lanes and can be very beautiful to run on, especially if you are at the top of one of the hills, but as they are on country lanes we did need to avoid and be slightly caustious of cars round the blind bends.  This is where again the marshals were exceptional and was holding up cars to let us run or tell us if there were any cars coming. It was around this time I was saying to myself that next year I’ll sign up for the full marathon.  “This’ll be a good marathon to do, definitely going to sign up next year!” That was until I got to the mile 8 mark....

Although I did this race last year, I had forgotten about most of the hills but this one came back like Dirty Den from Eastenders.  “Hello Princess..” the hill said as I started my ascent.  The motto of this race was “We eat hills for breakfast” and although I was nibbling, this was more of a light brunch.  This hill went on. And on. And on. And on.  It was pretty steep and there did not seem to be any peak at the top where it would flatten again.  I looked at my timer, I wasn’t going to get under 1:30:00 unless I ran a PB 5-6km, which I wasn’t going to do today, I had completed the Bournemouth Marathon only seven days before and my legs just could not maintain the pace after that hill.  I decided to just run and give it my best.

The rewarding 9-10 hill descent was very welcome and I made up some time, but again there were a couple more hills that jumped out of nowhere that slowed me down again.  Between the last few miles we ran back along the gorgeous Chequers pub and also under a large bridge with a stream running alongside us.  It was like something out of a postcard and confirmed at times just how beautiful the scenery is on this race.

We made our way back to the car park and the finish line and I finished in just over 1:34.  Again, a time if fully fit and on a flat course I would be personally be absolutely furious about, however given my legs were knackered and I was doing my best Sylvester Stallone Cliffhanger impression I’ll take it.

At the finish line I picked up my goody bag which was a lovely red draw string bag and my new buff.  My dad took the buff last year as a souvenir, but I was going to have it this year!  A lovely kit bag which can only be surpassed by a gorgeous lime green medal.  No picture can do justice to how nice this medal is!

Conclusion: a race that, like last year, I only entered as it fit in with my marathon schedule.  It is a tough race and do not expect to PB here, but this year had more charm and good feeling than last year.  Would I enter again? Let me check my schedule....