16th March 2003

The Cranleigh 21 is a thoroughly recommended and popular pre-London race that attracts runners from all around - just none of them came from East Anglia, leaving Karen and me to represent the region in the race.

The good thing about this race is that they offer a 15 mile or 21 mile race.  Having run 15 miles you have a choice of going through the finish line having had enough for one day or those glutton for more punishment can repeat the last 6 mile route for the full 21 mile experience.  Well 21 miles and about 150 yards.  

The bad point of this race is that if you reach 15 miles in over 2 hours and 30 minutes (i.e. 10 minute mile pace), then you are asked not to continue.  In Karen's case she could not have cut this time limit finer!

The day was absolutely gorgeous.  So much so that on the last 6 miles it was beginning to feel uncomfortably hot in the spring sunshine.  For this reason the grumblings of the 9am start were swiftly forgotten, turning into a grateful thanks. 

The race was mainly through beautiful Surrey countryside and I had the benefit of some great company to pass the miles, a Serpentine, with whom I knew very well from when Katy was a member of the London running club.  After 9 miles of chatting he shot off ahead and I paced myself to catch the 8 minute mile group.  Given all the hill training from our Tuesday night sessions and the Bury 20, I shot up the last hill to slip in front of the pace group at the finish.

Now it is the following day I quickly admit that I have a few aches and pains, but overall I am very pleased with my pacing, the whole run, and ultimately my finish time.  Could I have carried on to do the Marathon...?  Well on this occasion - I think so.

Richard Nash

The Stowmarket Striders results are:-

There were 353 finishers.  Follow this link for the full results.