For most people, a hot Friday evening during a heatwave would present an ideal opportunity to relax in a beer garden complaining about the temperature. Not for 11 members of Grantham Running Club who decided to take part in the 38th Whissendine 6ix road race round the hilly lanes of Rutland.
The sell-out event formed part of GRC’s own GP series and begins (as the name suggests) in Whissendine and follows a 6 mile course known for its brutal climbs (circa 93m of elevation) and slightly more fun descents where runners attempt to claw back some pace.
The race finishes with a downhill sprint back into the village where there is a party atmosphere with a barbecue and runners are presented with a glass and beer from the Grainstore Brewery.
With the temperature hitting around 30° most runners took the view that survival would be the name of the game when they stood sweating on the start line.
First back for GRC was Russel Whittaker who cites the event as one of his favourite races. He certainly found it more challenging than last year with the heat and he managed to simultaneously achieve both his best and worst performance so far. On the upside he came 5th overall and 1st in his age category, winning a lovely crystal glass and a handshake from Austin Powers. The bad news was it was his slowest ever time at the event (36:32).
Next back was Samuel Jepson who classed the event less as a race and more a “run of attrition” and looked to just maintain an even effort throughout the run, overtaking several runners in various states of heat-induced messiness. His time of 38:47 brought him in 15th place and 3rd in his age category.
James McMullen also suffered in the heat but still put in a strong performance, crossing the line in 43:09.
For Stefan Latter, the event is his favourite of the year, despite the hills. Putting aside any hopes of any heroics due to the heat he crossed the line in 43:28 and 3rd in his age category.
For Peter Jennings, it was his first go at a 6 mile race and he came 3rd in his age group. The temperature took its toll on him, with his heartrate peaking at 202 within the first mile. Thankfully he managed to settle down, taking full advantage of the water stations and crossed the very welcome finish line in 45:49.
Next up was the evergreen Robert Howbrook who finished in 46:58, netting him 1st in his age category.
Daniel Wallace had just gone out to get round and surprised himself with a course PB of 50:49.
Martin Rodell followed in 51:59 then Sylv Hull in 55:30, her second worst performance to date at this event.
Nicci Whittaker loved the race, having set out to jog round steadily in under an hour. Despite finding it tough she more than achieved her goal, finishing in 57:35.
Catherine Wallace rounded out the GRC contingent 1:07:12.
One of the notable aspects of the race was the amazing support and atmosphere in the village, and runners stayed behind to enjoy the barbecue and pub beer garden, putting the memory of the previous hour firmly behind them.