Fine weather was present making the ground appreciably dry (if a little dusty in places) and the event was well attended by the participating clubs, who totalled 341 runners.
The Denby route is somewhat unique in that it is a 3 lap race with laps 1 and 3 being the same and lap 2 a predominantly tarmac section. Luckily, the marshalls did a great job in ensuring everyone went the right way at the right time!
The run starts off on a downhill stretch of track before said track turns sharp left and the pack has the chance to start to spread out. After routing around the parkland, the runners pass the start again and shortly afterwards take on the tarmac section loop where the runners preferring road can appreciate the smooth surface and are able to quicken their pace – not for too long however as the third loop is essentially the same as lap 1, so back into the parkland again and following more trail terrain. There was an incline which although not steep, seemed never ending leading up to a mini plateau before the lovely long downhill charge for the finish line, very close to the club tents and awaiting refreshments!
Steve Elliff was first WRC member to reach the finish line coming in at a swift 53rd place, followed by Lewis in 60th and new member Richard W (running his first BDL no less,) the third WRC runner coming over the line in 62nd. Stef ran brilliantly and was the first finisher of our 6 club ladies taking part (and 8th lady in her age category over the line as well.)
All in all, it was a well-attended, well marshalled event with decent weather topped off by delicious cookies and lashings of tea or coffee. There were even a few fly-bys of a couple of WWII warbirds laid on by Belper for us – so the bar is set high – I’m trying to book the Red Arrows for the next one! (ok, or maybe the WWII planes just happened to be flying over Denby….but they added to the occasion nevertheless.)
