Ilkeston Winter BDL 2024 by Gavin Stewart
The Ilkeston Winter BDL proved to be a true test of grit and determination, as WRC runners battled through challenging conditions to secure impressive results.
The morning of race number 3 in the winter season series made for a fairly uninviting prospect compared to the last couple of BDL outings; rain and mild temperatures met the Wirksworth running club members, who gathered in waterproofs and hats, discussing the exciting prospect of Kat’s newest sugar blessed slab of confectionery, before convoying over to the race venue in Ilkeston.
The rain followed us all the way over to Pewit Golf course, but did stop as soon as we unloaded from the cars and joined the rest of runners taking on the rolling up and down 4.8 mile course.
207 runners including WRC’s 4 women and 7 men took on the well-marked and marshalled undulating 2 lap circuit. The course is a predominantly grassy route with a wide downhill section from the start line, giving runners space and time to find position before the first set of turns off to the left. The main park sections encouraged a gentle spreading of participants, who could enjoy open views across to the approaching sections ahead; the firmest section of grassy hills without too much in the way of water logging or mud.
The second half of the run was through Manor Floods Nature Reserve, unsurprisingly there was plenty more to think about as each runner tried to find their preferred line on a path fairly unreadable due to several inches of thick & – for the slicker shoed participant – slide inducing mud, coating the way through the – at some points, very narrow woodland.
Being mostly grass and trail meant the course was getting churned up as the race went on. The overnight rain definitely had more of an effect on the 2nd half of the course, the flattest parts featuring shallow mud and even a nerve jangling, shoe stealing bog a few hundred metres before the final corner (there was at least one shoe casualty)
The final third of the course features a steady 1km long ascent along the narrow nature path, pleasant evergreen trees either side as the muddy path begins to ascend back out from the reserve and you rejoin the sodden end of the park grassland, heading up towards the lap end/ finish. On the second lap there was a gnarly Gladiator’s style travelator hill finish to get over the line, giving competitors a chance to churn out a big finish.
It’s a superb cross country circuit, keeping you locked in and focused with its constantly challenging environment, terrain and undulations. It’s sure to test anyone’s ability and WRC put in a tremendous team effort. A happy team rejoined at the WRC flag to talk race experience and finally get their eager hands on a warm brew and a wedge of Kat’s latest creation. A medley of digestive biscuit base, peanut m&m’s, soft indulgent chocolate topping and pieces or snickers – mega and well earned!
Elaine Stone and Graham Smith, both achieved top spot in their respective categories and always exhibit a high standard of running, Elaine secured 18th out of 81 women. It’s a tough course to fly round and everyone dug in deep for big finishes including Richard Ward finishing 3rd in his category and in the top 35 men! Duo Graham Robinson and Lewis Glover let their legs do the talking, grabbing 40th & 43rd places in the mens with a flurry of WRC men not far behind – Glenn Baird (69th) and Gavin Stewart (72nd) ran close and enjoyed a rallying outing, with Dave Spencer springing over the line a few seconds after the 40 minute mark.
The support came very welcome at the end of the sodden course, and as the travelator finale got more slippery, one competitor did slip, so racers still had to keep their minds sharp all the way over the line. Kat Davey & Jen Godfrey ran solid races, both securing 10th place in their categories. Nicky Ward finished 63rd in the womens, giving the team cheering her on an all out sprint finish up the last hill and over the line – tremendous team support all round. The whole squad celebrated over warm drinks and sections of biscuit slab! A worthy mention to Edie. Edie completed her junior run before the team headed out and continues making strong progress, hopefully the WRC has its newest female member soon.
A fantastic cross country challenge for the whole WRC team. The next BDL is in the new year 12/01/25 hosted by Long Eaton @ Bramcote, until then take care & run well!