In short: Understand what it's for - raising specific money - and it's great. Excellent changing facs too! In full: This is a race for a specific reason and it just works. Today's race took place in horrendous conditions - by which I mean proper comedy 'look at those fools' stuff - and none the worse for it. The marshalling is fine and encouraging, the course is clear enough (as in 'Clubby but welcoming newcomers') and the facilities great. Superb tea 'n' buns and knock-down prices aftewards. Good cause, good race, decent organisation. No frills or fuss, just footwork. Date of review: April 29, 2012
In short: Very good In full: I'm a regular visitor to friends in the Bucks area and this came up to coincide with a lunch invitation so I gave it a bash, despite it being pretty much all off-road - not my usual thing at all. The much under-used Saucony Grizzlies were duly unearthed and 5.4 miles of grass track, flinty path, forest trails, ploughed fields and a couple of sharp hills ensued.
I flew off far too fast (hey, old habits and all that....) and sat in 7th after a mile or two. In retrospect I could've gone harder up the hills (didn't find a contour map beforehand!) and not relinquished so many places; I have to say running up really narrow tracks made me worry about the etiquette of holding up anyone faster. Anyway, flying through the subsequent forest trails was really exhilarating and I reeled in a few I'd earlier given way to. I might find myself tackling a few more multi-terrain events at this rate...
Finished 15th out of (I think) about 150-200 runners, so well pleased with that. 36:42 means 6:48 pace anyway.
Great fun, well organised and well attended, the event was also blessed with very good running weather: still, dull, 15 celsius. Decent T shirt too, and black for a change
Well done Chiltern Harriers. Date of review: September 20, 2010
In short: Excellent - well run, with nothing to upset the picky and experienced whiule remaining welcoming to first-timers In full: Couple of stiff hills knock out-and-out PB potential but it's a great race with a semi-grandstand finish. Date of review: August 29, 2010
In short: Lovely, cuddly race with a cast iron core In full: Great stuff. Big enough to feel special not intimidating. Some naaaasty hills, especially at 11 and 12 mi but HEY...it ain't a track.... Date of review: October 4, 2009
In short: Memories of school punishment! Great laugh. In full: ....at least that's how I remember the last time I did cross country, as we called it. Can do 43mins, this took me 48 plus. Great fun; well organised and friendly, this befits more experienced off-roaders I'd say. However, novices there were aplenty, including me. Hurtling down filthy slopes was fun,a tad risky and you really need a specialist/studded shoe. My Grizzly Approach 'soft-roader' things weren't quite up to it. I think the goodies at the end are fine for what is - lest we forget - an event which is considerably cheaper than many. Results up very quickly which is a final nice touch. Date of review: February 1, 2009
In short: Smashed PB but even allowing for my bias it's a good one In full: If you can kick hard off hills and don't mind going up the odd one, definite PB potential. decent enought scenery. Encouraging/vocal marshals which was a great help goven teh foul weather to which they too were being subjected! Date of review: December 21, 2008
In short: We all know about the weather ....but I have to say would be dull even if conditions were ideal In full: What's all this Garmin thing then?! Seriously, that extra third of a mile and the weather should be worth 4 mins to get me down to 1:40! Still managed to beat my only ever previous by a 29 seconds by coming in sub 1:45, so the place is clearly good for PBs. Organisation good, but it's still dull, even if you like your motorsport. Great tarmac with plenty of 'give' as you'd expect. Date of review: March 19, 2007