The Drogo 10
Seven SIDMOUTH Running Club members ventured to the edge of Dartmoor to run this challenging and beautiful Drogo 10. This is definitely one of the most scenic races in the calendar and one of the best supported too – nearly 300 runners completed the 10 mile course this year. The conditions were perfect a little cool breeze and a grass frost had turned the fields white especially along the river. The trees were multi coloured and at times you were showered with leaves falling down as you ran along. The views from the ridges were outstanding this year with the clear air highlighting the colour of the trees and the distance views. The bonus this year was the course was virtually dry which is unheard of for this race. It was a pleasure to be there.
When you think about the Drogo the mind tends to focus on the notorious Hunters’ Path, a brutal half mile climb back towards the castle at mile 8. However, it would be foolish to forget hills no. 1 and no. 2 both of which are energy-sapping climbs from the river valley to the ridge path. Those members who had been on the training run from Weston to Beer and back the previous week were well prepared for them.
Lining up at the start with 5 minutes to go Julian Bartlett turns up enquiring “where do you pick up your number”.He blamed his sat-nav for giving him the wrong information. Sarah Watkin’s daughter Jessica, who is 5 months pregnant, was a guest runner and decided that due to her condition she would take it easy and run with Sarah and Terry. That plan lasted all of 5 minutes and then she was gone.
Antony Hall continues to return some excellent times coming 29th in 1:13:46. Julian Bartlett 1:29:33, Karine Silver 1:36:44, Susan Perry 1:40:43, Jessica Raynor 1;44:52, Sarah Watkins 1:49:24, Simon Hollyer who had been ill all week 1:49:24 and bringing up the rear as usual Terry Bewes in 1:50:08 although he did knock 8 minutes off of his previous best for this course. He took a leaf out of Rob Edwards book and had a relaxing coffee before the start. Just goes to show you are never too old to learn. A great morning out.