Boxing Day

I always wonder why I want to do the Clevedon Boxing Day race before I get there but realise why as soon as I reach Clevedon: it’s a lovely, friendly race and just about far enough to work off some of the Christmas excess without tiring you out. I wasn’t too bothered about time but hoped that I might get under my 2007 time of 40:32.

This year the sky was clear, the ice had melted and the wind was gentle. From where I could stood at the start I could see the front runners set off. Good grief - they are really fast! It was quite inspiring to be able to see them. At the back of the pack we were less gazelle-like but equally determined, though not racing for any prizes.

The spectator support through the town is great and very encouraging but thins as the route leaves the town when have the countryside to admire for the next mile or so. Just after 2 miles you will start to hear the sound of cow bells and “We are the Champions,” a welcome or a warning depending on how good you are at getting up hills. I managed a cheery wave to all the people from the house at the start of the hill. I could see a woman in a Westbury vest in front of me, walking up the hill and knew I could run and catch her. About fifty yards later, common sense took over and I decided that getting out on Boxing Day was enough of a challenge without adding to the task so I settled for walking with a man whose wife had just left him. It was the first time he had done the race and I do hope that he enjoyed it enough for the separation to be only temporary. I managed to keep the Westbury vest in my sights and caught her at the top of the hill then it was a simple matter of keeping going to the finish. The course undulates nicely for the last mile or so, with the last half mile all down. A sharp right hand turn, then  the course turns off the road and it’s about 100 yards to the finish. I managed to catch a few people on the last stretch and crossed the line with an offical time of 39:51 so all in all a good morning out.

It’s a lovely race: the course is manageable, the spectator support is great, the organisation is good and the marshals were all very encouraging. There are plenty of fast runners but there are enough at the back for slower runnners not to feel lonely. A big Thank You to everyone at Clevedon AC who helped with the race.

See you next year!