By Lewis Glover
Although there was a smaller total number of collective club runners than previous years at 167, the Wirksworth team were raring to go for one of the favourite courses of the winter season with Holmebrook park presenting its usual typical ‘dampish’ going for the time of year – basically quite similar to that found in Kevin Costner’s 1995 classic ‘Waterworld’ !
Assembling on the flat far side of the footie field, following a briefing, the runners suddenly found themselves galloping through the gloop underfoot, with the pack starting to spread out a little only after the pinch point onto the subsequent transition to the upper field. There was then a tricky slippy-slide descent through trees where vigilance to avoid becoming a cropper on the exposed tree roots was likely on most runners minds. The route winds through field, wooded areas, firm trail surfaces and a lot of slippery ascent/decent sections and offers a decent variety of terrain. It followed the traditional 2 lap format, with the second lap being decidedly slicker after over 330 odd feet had already carved a trench in the landscape – there was a little mud here and there.. nothing major, just the type that tries to suck the shoes and socks off your feet and takes a week to get out one’s toenails!
All the Wirksworth possie made it round successfully, with David Brassington being first over the line for our club, and six of our runners being placed within the top 30 men plus all 3 of our lady runners within the top 25 ladies. Particularly notable effort was put in by Glen Morris, coming in 28th overall male on his first ever BDL and Dave Spencer who bounced back up to complete the course following his faceplant on one of the trickier bends.
After relocating the club tent onto the hard standing of the main building, we were all replenished with Kat’s wonderful cookies.
Let down however by the club beverage unit, there was a shortage of milk for post run hot drinks. Gavin being the kind fellow he is gallantly stepped forward and stood in the queue at the tea van, only to be rewarded upon his return to minimal hot water dregs left in the caddy for his own cuppa!!
It was great club outing, and big thanks to the North Derbyshire hosts, whose marshals did a fantastic job of continually keeping spirits up and encouraging all runners around the challenging course.
Wirksworth finished the series commendably with the following notable results in respective gender and age categories;
Helen Moxon 1st
Liz Abrahams 2nd
Graham Smith 1st
Lewis Glover 1st
Richard Ward 3rd
Go Wirksworth!