Chris Brasher Memorial 10k
20 June 2004

annajo enjoys a post-race scone

I signed on for this one in a flurry of joy after Mannheim - but wondered if I'd get near my shiny new pb, done under marathon-supporters conditions. But there were lots of other RW forumites doing it, and I've never run in Richmond Park before. Sunday dawned cool and sunny: perfect race weather.

I had a very easy journey to Richmond, where marshals were directing us to the shuttle bus. This had the look of a very well-organised race. When I arrived at the park I rang Helen, who was set up in the cafe with a coffee. Sounded good. As I got to the cafe I was greeted by ceal, who wasn't sure if she'd run or not. So we settled down for a warming beverage with Stuart, aka Mr ceal.

ceal, Stuart and Helen with essential caffiene before the race

We weren't quite sure where Heather was - family stuff had overtaken the picnic plans. The start pens were looong, so after a visit to the baggage tent, ceal and Stuart headed off for their start points. ceal had warmed up and decided her calf would hold up - and she aimed to finish in 50 mins. We met up with Clare (Tinks), who said that this was her first run since March and the LA marathon. 

The weather was intermittently warm and chilly, so Helen tried a variety of tops...

Clare (Tinks) and Helen: Helen tests warm weather gear

...before deciding to stay a little warmer.

That's better! By the start pens

Milling - and resting - crowds by the baggage tent

As we headed for the pens, poor Helen's ventilator collapsed, and we tried to lever the different parts back into working condition. Some pesky new design meant there was no standby way of working the device. Helen managed her couple of puffs before we took our places.

We were in the pens for around 20 minutes, with all the faster folk stretching ahead of us...and a comforting number of slower runners behind us. We couldn't see Sir Roger starting the race, but we eased forward to the start point. Helen reminded me to start my watch and we were off.

The first mile or so was a steady run up the first hill - fine at the start but a bit evil towards the end. But we were past the first mile marker at a steady jog and 14 mins. It was very nice to be chatting as we ran. We rounded the corner and were rewarded with a bit of downhill before the next hill. The first couple of miles were vile, as we were still warming up, and we got to 3 miles at just over 33 mins. 

No runners... but this was the start of the race, taken afterwards

At this point I didn't want to stop and my competitive urges took over. Helen said, go on, and she dived into a first aid tent to get some help with her breathing. Waving Helen and Clare goodbye, I ran on to a corner where I heard someone who sounded just like Heather at her best: yelling at each runner to keep going. It wasn't Heather - it was a young marshal with the same Shouting DNA. Soon we were going up the next hill, and near the top I weakened, and took a 20 sec walk break. 

Then off again, past the 4 and 5 mile marker. I passed a blind runner and her escort, and shouted nice going, Metros! as I passed. Just before the 6 mile marker someone shot past: she was running as if it was a sprint...but a bit later I passed her as she had slowed considerably.  

Zipping along nicely

At 6 miles I saw that I was just over the hour, so I urged something faster from my legs and was thrilled to pass the finish at 1:04:24 - nearly 40 secs off my first 10k. I felt fab: I'd really enjoyed the race and proved to myself that Mannheim wasn't a one-off.

Checking my time at the finish

I went to collect my bag, and ceal arrived, looking very pleased with her 50 min run. And lovely to meet Val, on her first forum outing.

ceal and Val at the finish

As I walked through the finish funnel and collected a wonderfully chunky medal, I met MikeFrog and Mrs MikeFrog, aka Mary, who'd spotted Heather and the picnic spot. 

Mary and Mike near the finish

Mike had used his analogue timing device to come in well under an hour. 

Mike and Clare

Soon Clare was there, with a good time of 1:07:00. And then Helen came in, rightly pleased with a time of 1:13:00, which included a 5 min stop at the first aid tent. Nice going! We gathered at Heather's picnic point, to find Mr JJ very happy with his time of 1:05:00 - brilliant for his first race in recent time.

Senior and junior Jumps at picnic spot

Heather holds the Jump pb for 10k...but Ivor vows to take it at the next outing. But peace broke out in time for this...

Heather and Ivor showing Jump solidarity

Then annajo and Miss P turned up...

annajo displays her medal - well done, Sweatshop!

...time for a forum photo.

(back) Miss P, Tinks, Mr JJ, MikeFrog
(front) meerkat, Helephant (pic by Mary)

We settled down to eat - I munched the fruit cake I'd bought in the cafe before the start, while Mary dispensed scones and sarnies.

Mary and Helen

At this point, Heather devised the idea of a forum Seven and a Bit race - now launched on the Events section of the RW forum. A brilliant idea...if Helen and I still have legs left after Trailwalker. Food consumed, we packed up so that we could find transport home.

Mary, Mike and Heather walk up past the start point

We ambled happily towards the shuttle buses, taking in the wonderful scenery of the park.

Me, very happy with medal (pic by Helen)

As Helen and I waited for our train at Richmond station, the heavens opened and soon it was more like winter. Perfect timing!

What a fantastic race: I know that this was a one-off, organised by Hugh Brasher to commemorate his wonderful dad, but it was so well organised that surely it will happen again next year??

End of the event

Thanks to all forumites, especially Helen and Tinks, for a great run. Lovely to meet up with the picnic crew - here's to the next 10k!