Race Report'07

6 runners from York took part in the increasingly popular Belper 30k race, voted 11th best race by Runners World. 3 from York Knavesmire Harriers and 3 from York Acorn Running Club.

The route takes you along the Midshires Way, via Roman Roads, public footpaths and bridle-ways through the heart of the World Heritage Derwent Valley site and across delightful unspoilt countryside. The terrain was challenging and may possibly favour cross-country runners and fell runners, as well as us mere-mortal road runners who might be looking for a long, hard, training run, such as Colin Lea of York Knavesmire Harriers (3hours, 34minutes) who is in training for the New York Marathon to add to his Paris and London Marathon achievements earlier this year.

My race nearly didn't start when I somehow managed to headbut the toilet roll holder in the Gents loo (clumsy of what?) leaving an embarrassing bloodied bump on my forehead, 2 minutes before the start. I am sure I got a few funny looks... This was to be my 3rd furthest ever run, and the other 2 were on the flat, so maybe I was subliminally trying to avoid the torture ahead?
This challenging 30km circular run (or walk) is organised by Belper Rugby Club and Belper Harriers, and started from and finished at Belper Rugby Club's home, 'Strutts Fields' - a great new facility with changing rooms, showers, excellent parking, and a bar and barbecue too!

As luck would have it, I needn't of worried because the midfield of 260 runners set of at a gentle pace, having to queue a little over the stiles for the first couple of kilometres. There were 25 walkers on the day too, who set off when they liked, within 30 minutes either side of the start time.

Many of the runners had seemingly run the route before, and must of known what lie ahead - running belts and hydration bags were in abundance everywhere you looked.

The first half of the run would take us to the highest point of the route (971'), where there was another water stop (with sweeties), and a favourably positioned pub (depending on your preference, after 15km, between water or beer - for the walkers it must be a no-brainer). During the run there were countless stiles to negotiate, and the unfortunate weather for this time of year had left the ground with a few muddy patches, and it was a little slippery in places, especially on the uphills. On this mixed terrain, you have to watch your footing over the occasional patch of risky stones and cow pies when you're busy marvelling at the extraordinary panoramic views!

Whilst lots of runners started walking on at least some of the uphills (which were incredibly hard), others, such as David Darton of York Knavesmire Harriers (3hrs 14minutes) steadily conquered the course without stopping!

The second half was a little easier (a nett downhill), especially after the 22km water stop, and I found myself making up time, after my earlier walks up hills, and I was steadily passing runners, eventually finishing in 3hrs dead, just before the rain! (Hurrah!)

Meanwhile, although the course was well marked with arrows and tape, rumour has it, the eventual winner Natahniel Williams, mistakenly missed a stile marker, but after being diverted back from a farmhouse, he still managed to win. The winning time: 2hrs 8mins 31secs.

All in all, the scenery more than makes up for the challenging course, and the trip from York was well worth it - a very enjoyable, well organised, well marshalled, friendly run, with a total ascended height of 2319', 4 strategically placed water stops (with sweeties at each), and a t-shirt at the end showing a graphic of the demanding traverse of the course (for bragging rights?).

At the end, the organiser (who had noticed our black and yellow club vests) took it upon himself to thank us for coming all the way from York to take part in the events' 5th year. The Belper 30k continues to grow exponentially each year... for me, it's what running is all about and well worth the effort if you are looking for a hard, hilly, distance run for "enjoyment".

We found a couple of local recommendations of pubs serving Sunday Lunch in the area:- "The Bulls Head" (which we almost passed by on the course) and "The Bear" at Alderwasley. We plumbed for the nearby Bulls Head (serving all day, the main courses were around £10.95) and coincidentally, whilst in there, we met the official race photographer, Brian Dale, who reminded us that FREE photo's of the runners taking part would be available to download from the net at http://racephotos.topcities.com/(normally this can be quite expensive, so this was another tick in the box for the race organisers).

Link: http://www.belperrufc.co.uk/RugbyRover2007/Rugby%20Rover%202007.htm

Report by Martin Smith, York Knavesmire Harriers