A 14mile multi-terrain race involving a narrow goat track, knee-deep mud and a near vertical scramble, this race still attracts over 1,000 entrants. A total of 13 Striders completed the Rotary Challenge main race this year, with Laura Sparkes' successful comeback in the 10k race (1hr04) after several months off  nursing a sprained ankle. Courtesy of Helen Tudge, 8 of us stayed in a "mountain hut" belonging to Coventry climbing club. Basic but cheap, this self-catering enabled us to enjoy the culinary skills of Helen, Nick and   Richard. Pre-race lasagnes went down a treat on Friday night. And in case you were under the illusion this was a serious racing  weekend, I'll tell you there was more than 1 Strider who also enjoyed a pre-race tipple.......

In true Welsh style the rain lashed down on Saturday morning on our hut, but somehow cleared for the 2pm start of the main race. 6 of us piled into Helen's car, with Dawn & Nick travelling backwards in the car boot seats! My experience of the race was of a fast start - necessary if you want to avoid the queues on the narrow goat track. After about a mile and a half of road the route turns off through farmyards and onto the grass. I kept Rowena and Nick in my sights, and was surprised to have Mike come past me after about 3miles when I thought he would have already been halfway there... He was "taking it easy" to begin with  to warm up his dodgy calf... No prizes to anyone for guessing that he still managed to beat the train as he notched up the gears each mile thereon and glided across the rough terrain.

The route heads straight out before turning back at about 7miles, taking in a slightly higher route parallel, before rejoining the  same route taken at the start. The 2nd part becomes tougher, with more mud, and a steep climb which is almost impossible to run up. The narrow goat track keeps everyone single file, apart from those foolish enough to attempt to overtake, which invariably resulted in a few tumbles... Unfortunately this did mean a bit of enforced walking, but I wasn't going to complain. I quickly discovered that it wasn't possible to look around and enjoy the scenery, upon trying to do so I tripped and got nicely muddied up. Running on the side of slope quickly becomes hard work and by about 10miles I really was wishing it to be over! The other runners are fantastically supportive though and encourage anyone who stops or looks like they're struggling, to keep going. About a mile from the  end I was overtaken by Martin Blazeby obviously saving himself for a fast finish. By the time we were back on the road for the final  
stretch my legs didn't want to play anymore.

A cluster of Striders were already at the finish, having been cheered in by Laura, clean and showered after her 10k, enjoying  their goodie bags full of tea bags and dried fruit, whilst sporting Race the Train T-shirts. Mike was first in for the team, in 1hr40.  Trevor was next, followed closely by Carolyn in 1hr45, who also won the 4th vet lady prize as well as beating the train.  Rowena was next in 1hr57, despite coming down with a cough & cold, just  beating Nick Adams in 1hr58 (who was slightly disgruntled at being beaten by a girl, particularly one who smartly slapped his arse while overtaking him at mile 13 and suggesting he should keep up). Martin Blazeby was next, then me in 2hr03, and Vicki hot on my muddy heels in 2hr05. Amanda, finishing in 2hr16 had also enjoyed the mud at close quarters as her legs and arms clearly displayed. Richard "4-breakfasts" Brookes came in next in 2hr28, then Helen Tudge in 2hr37, who on John McNally's interesting advice, spent the first 10miles gossiping her way leisurely along the course with Jenny, before leaving her and continuing to overtake 64 people on her final miles to the finish line! Jenny finished in 2hr41. Back at the hut, the curries and alcoholic beverages went down a treat for the 8 hut residents (having fought for the solitary shower), joined by their dessert-bearing guests Jenny, Martin, Carolyn and Trevor.

In true Strider style, hearty breakfasts including bacon, eggs, croissants and cereals were consumed before a clean up of the hut, and astonishment at how we'd somehow NOT managed to eat all of the food or drink all of the booze. I think there'll definitely be some who will be going back for more, and by the sound of it, some who may prefer to remain on the clean smooth roads in future...