On a sunny Tuesday evening ?? members of Grantham Running Club headed into the Nottinghamshire countryside to take part in the Pint and Pork Scratchings 5-mile run, which raises funds for the Brain Tumour Society.
Thankfully torrential rain gave way to sunshine, but it meant that the course which was all trail over some serious hills was certainly sticky and tricky in places. This race was less about times and more about getting round in one piece.
Starting at the Cross Keys Pub in Epperstone, the first mile and a half was a steep climb with most of the 300 participants needing to keep in single file due to the narrow paths. Once the hills were summited, runners were treated to stunning views, which many got to enjoy for longer as they slowly picked their way through the muddy and slippy bits.
A fun final descent through the fields gave everyone the chance to try and claw back some pace as they legged it back to the pub for beer and pizza.
Sam Jepson was first back in a brilliant 33:51 which netted him 7th place. He enjoyed the last 3 miles of summer trails after the pain of the first hills.
Stef Latter has been more trail focused recently and commented that the course was seriously tough and character testing but loved the event and pub. He finished in an impressive 38:17 and 32nd place.
Cameron Hoggan was next in 38:35, regretting wearing road shoes.
Niall Ó Faoláin was happy to not break an ankle but loved the ‘treacherous’ hills, crossing the line in 46:42.
Sylv Hull (49:09) also made the mistake of wearing road shoes but still enjoyed her fifth time at the event, the advance knowledge of the hills helping somewhat. Shandy and pizza afterwards topped off the event.
Caroline Davis and Matthew Sadler crossed the line together at 53:00 and 53:02 respectively). Rick Dobbs chose a tricky run to make a comeback after an ankle injury but survived unscathed and put in a time of 55:37.
Paul Davis was next in 59:03, then Nick Thorpe (63:00) who cursed the hills but enjoyed his pint and pizza afterwards. Ros Sadler (66:03) and Julie Gilbert (66:05) got stuck into the hills and enjoyed arsing about in a lovely location.
The night also included spot prizes and to date, the event has raised nearly £20,000 for the Brain Tumour Society.
Photos were plentiful with Ed Mayes, Colin Brearley and Chris Hill all poised round the course to capture the mixed emotions of the runners.