This course is deceptively tough as it gets very boggy when wet and the steep hill just before the end of each lap is through energy sapping long grass and uneven ground - it's a very Shropshire course, with a lovely view of the Wrekin from the start field.
2012 saw possibly the largest ever field for a Shropshire Champs - certainly the largest I can remember with over 70 women on the start list. This race has suffered in recent years from being held in December, usually clashing with a North Staffs XC League Race. This year it clashed with nothing, and everyone from Shropshire was here, giving us a full Telford AC team:
Photos courtesy of Johnny Sanders
I was a bit annoyed to find the race was longer than I remembered - 1 small lap and 3 large laps making it close to 7km. Having missed what felt lot of training over Christmas with a nasty cold, and having completely overindulged on Christmas Cake and Christmas Pudding, I was definitely not as fit as I wanted to be. I was definitely looking forward to the TAC night out afterwards more than the race!
I set off just behind a group of 7 - all of them top athletes who would usually be quite a distance in front of me - the race panned out as I'd predicted! On reflection I think I should have at least tried to hang on to this group to test my fitness a bit more. Next time I'll have more confidence in my abilities and at least give it a go!
So I set off in 8th place, and finished in 8th place. Results available here
It was quite an enjoyable race, and a good confidence boost at the start of the year - unflattering photo here:
It reminded me how much I miss running with the fantastic group of girls at Telford AC, and how awesome we are! We took Team Gold and Team Silver today, as well as individual Gold and Silver medals. A fantastic start to the season, and I hope everyone continues with equally amazing results and enthusiasm for racing!
Nellie Sanders(9th), Sarah Mackness(8th), Claire Martin(1st)
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