4th August 2002

The entry form described this as: “A scenic 10k route alongside the beautiful River Dart on footpaths and bridleways”. That will be a nice way to start the holiday and see a bit of the countryside I thought. However, roughly translated the description means a severe cross-country that will test you to the limits of your physical and mental endurance! (I was shattered at the finish). The winning time was 40.01, the first lady did 43.28 and there were only 57 runners under 45 minutes so my time wasn’t that bad – was it!

The race started and finished at the Totnes leisure centre so there were plenty of toilets, changing facilities and showers, lots of places to get refreshments and plenty for the non-running family members to do. Cathy sat in the sun and ate chocolate and yoghurt cake.

After a normal start around the sports field the race headed straight onto twisting and turning tracks beside the river. The first mile was fairly flat and quite quick despite sections of narrow twisting path. But after that it wasn’t so flat; the paths climbed steeply up the side of the river valley only to plunge rapidly back down near-vertical sloops towards the river. Some of the uphills were so steep there were steps and hurtling flat-out down a narrow footpath towards a deep river while avoiding tree roots can focus the mind.

The ascents and descents varied from a few yards to a few hundred yards and were broken up by stretches through riverside and hill side meadows.

The race was well-marshalled, special thanks to the young woman at about three miles who gave us directions while holding off a herd of Bullocks trying to get to their normal watering hole on the river bank.

One or two runners were finishing with cuts and bruises following falls over tree roots and trunks.

Combine all this with a scorching hot day and the times are explained.

This was probably the most interesting and challenging 10k that I’ve ever done and others must feel the same because it has grown from an entry of eight runners in the early 1990’s to 397 entrants in this year’s race. If I’m ever in South Devon in August I’ll do it again, but next time I’ll be ready for it!

Chris Gladwell

The Stowmarket Striders results are:-

There were 364 finishers.