Brief course description and results round up for the 2021/2022 cross country season with Hart Road Runners at Southern Cross Country League and Hampshire Cross Country League.
Keep checking back throughout the season for updates.
Southern Cross Country League
Race 1 - Folly Farm, Basingstoke - Sunday 10th October 2021
Distance: 4.69 miles
Average pace: 7:57 /mi
Time: 37 m 21 s
Elevation: 342 ft
Position: 22/144
My position within HRR ladies: 3rd
HRR ladies team result: 3rd
Flat start leading to a long gentle uphill on a track, across a field and then upwards again. Once out on the top, more track, past farm buildings. An enjoyable down followed by steep up accross fields finishing with a long downhill section on grass.
Race 2 - Bourne Woods, Farnham - Sunday 28th November 2021
Distance: 4.89 miles
Average pace: 7:59 /mi
Time: 39m 05s
Elevation: 376 ft
Position: 25/157
My position within HRR ladies: 2nd
HRR ladies team result: 3rd
New course for 2021 with a very despairing start, unless you are one of the speedy ones right at the front, you cross a field and go through a gate which causes a bottleneck situation, queuing required to get through. You're then on a narrow track in single file, you'd have to be quite gutsy to ask the person in front of you to move over to let you pass! The track widens and the remainder of the course is a delight. A mix of leafy paths, sandy tracks, tree roots through woods, a bit of mud and gravel too. Some fabulous hills thrown in for good measure, one is a real treat as when you think you are at the top, you need to make a left turn and continue upwards again. Towards the finish you head upwards, snake around a corner and then it's an enjoyable gentle downhill to the finish.
Race 3 - Lord Wandsworth College, Hook - Sunday 19th December 2021
Distance: 4.63 miles
Average pace: 8:15 /mi
Time: 38m 13s
Elevation: 452 ft
Position: 27/118
My position within HRR ladies: 2nd
HRR ladies team result: 9th
Due to health and safety the route was reversed from previous seasons. I really like it this way round! From the start line across a field, onto a slightly uphill track, a bit more grass then up onto the top of the course where there are numerous wet, muddy, boggy puddles to navigate. You know when you are near the end of lap one as you have to go down the long steep hill that previously we would have gone up. Through a field then a narrow uphill woodland path twisting and turning through trees, then before you know it you are on the familiar grassy section with lap 2 well underway. On the second time down the big steep hill, you turn left rather than right, a gentle uphill through a clay field and then a sprint for the finish. A great course, always a favourite.
Race 4 - Chawton House, Alton - Sunday 23rd January 2022
Distance:
Average pace: n/a
Time: n/a
Elevation:
Position: n/a
My position within HRR ladies: n/a
HRR ladies team result: 19th
I was unable to attend this race as I was at Winter Training Camp.
Race 5 - Alice Holt, Farnham - Sunday 13th March 2022
Distance: 4.95 miles
Average pace: 8:27 /mi
Time: 41 m 54 s
Elevation: 414 ft
Position: 29/146
My position within HRR ladies: 2nd
HRR ladies team result: 7th
A downhill start which sweeps around a bend to take you back up again, don't be fooled by the track at the start, this is something you will get to see a few more times as it greets you at the start/end of each of the other lovely sections of wet, mud, a river crossing, mud slosh, tree roots and more mud. There are a couple of twisty turny narrow forest stretches where you can't really overtake others but these bring you back on to the track again so you can make up some time there. To finish the course, you retrace you steps at the end which means up hill. I must say, I really, really enjoyed this course.
Hampshire Cross Country League
Race 1 - Kings Park, Bournemouth - Saturday 13th November 2021
Distance: 3.58 miles
Average pace: 7:34 /mi
Time: 27 m 06 s
Elevation: 121 ft
Position: 83/156
My position within HRR ladies: 1st
HRR ladies team result: 17th
Really flat course allowing for speed, two laps of a field then a lap through a woodland area, back round the field for a third time then the woodland lap again. There is one tiny steep hill, one barely noticeable hill and the laps allow one to get used to the course and plan ahead. For example, there is a hairpin turn coming off the field lap and onto the woodland lap which allows for overtaking. I really enjoyed how this course allows for tactics and plays to your strengths if you are good at cornering.
Race 2 - Wellesley Woodlands, Aldershot - Saturday 4th December 2021
Distance: 3.61 miles
Average pace: 7:56 /mi
Time: 28m 41s
Elevation: 184 ft
Position: 80/133
My position within HRR ladies: 2nd
HRR ladies team result: 12th (up 5 places)
A course that follows a start lap, medium lap then a long lap, all of which seem to be either going very gently up or very gently down. The ups seem to be longer than the downs! Many benefitted from wearing spikes, there are a couple of crossings over tarmac but three long strides and you are back onto the grass. A nice section though woodland on the long lap, and an enjoyable twisty turny finish through trees before popping back onto the field for a fast finish if you have some left in the tank (I did not!).
Race 3 - Prospect Park, Reading - Saturday 15th January 2022
Distance: 3.09 miles
Average pace: 8:17 /mi
Time: 25m 38s
Elevation: 304 ft
Position: 74/119
My position within HRR ladies: 1st
HRR ladies team result: 12th (maintained our position)
Downhill start to ease you into things then back round on yourself to head up the short but fairly steep hill. Nice woodland trail bit which brings you to the top of a fairly steep descent that never fails to be slippery with mud. A gentle uphill before heading back round to do the main hill again. Once you've completed the second loop it's then time to pick the pace up as you head off round the field which feels mostly downhill. Great opportunity for a sprint finish once you've rounded the final corner. One of the more technical Hampshire routes, and certainly one of the more enjoyable ones for me.
Race 4 - Popham Airfield, Basingstoke - Saturday 19th February 2022
Distance: 3.97 miles
Average pace: n/a
Time: n/a
Elevation: 270 ft
Position: n/a
My position within HRR ladies: n/a
HRR ladies team result: 14th
I was unable to attend this race as I was away with work.
