Tring running clubs “Ridgeway Run” is a race that’s been on my list for a number of years. Every time I’ve looked at entering, it’s either been full, or I’ve already booked the date up. This year was different! I was still undecided whether to run or not though, I’m tapering for a big race next weekend. I decided to get signed up, take it easy and just enjoy being outside in gorgeous surroundings.
So at around 9.30 on Sunday morning, I was all registered and ready to go. The start of this race is an unusual format. Runners park and register at Tring Cricket Club, then it’s about a 10-15 minute walk to the start line. Of course, I was the person who managed to go the wrong way, before the race had even begun! This is a popular race, there were a few hundred people crammed into the starting area on Marshcroft Lane. At 10am the 10 second countdown began and we were let loose.. sort of.. It was quite a timid start to a race, there were just a lot of people squeezed into quite a small area. There wasn’t much room for overtaking early on, forcing people to zig zag through the crowds, in search of space. This didn’t worry me much personally, if anything it helped me hold back. You could sense some runners growing frustrated though, particularly when we were funnelled into single file, for a short climb. As with most races though, the traffic cleared after a couple of miles. It was never quiet in the trails, but you had enough room to run your own race.
I don’t remember much about the early stages of the race. The first mile of so was on tarmac, we ran through a farm yard, around stocks golf club. And had the first notable bit of incline heading up towards Ashridge monument. From here, we followed the main walking trail towards Ivinghoe beacon. I know this path well, I used to use it for interval training regularly. It’s wide, the footing is easy, and it undulates without ever becoming difficult. Here, it was difficult to keep my competitive nature in check. I could see people ahead and knew I could catch them. Fortunately I was disciplined enough to allow myself to run people down, without ever putting in too much effort. Crossing the cattle grid, towards the end of the track, we swung a left. Running through thin wood line, with quick glimpses of what lay ahead appearing through the trees. Then things opened up. We were greeted by a stunning panoramic view of the chilterns, bright in the morning sun.
I began my descent, following the winding chalk path around the edge of the inchcombe hole. For those well practiced on this type of descent, it’s fantastic fun. You just let gravity take you and skip to the bottom. For those less experienced runners, this has the potential to be terrifying. It’s a fairly steep, narrow, slalom of a downhill. Being a sunny Sunday morning, there were no shortage of dog walkers, along with the hundreds of runners, to avoid crashing into. The descent is short though, you’re quickly into flatter ground. Then it’s across a road and through a carpark to the second and final water stop.
By this point, we’re nearing the end of the course. One final climb, up Pitstone hill, and it’s downhill for most of what’s left. Another fun descent through the woods. I was leaping down stairs, skipping over tree roots and badger sets. All while trying to remain aware of the less confident, tired legs, taking their time around me. Exiting the woods and crossing another road, we were informed there were 2 miles to go. We raced through the same farmyard we’d crossed at the near the start, and back to Marshcroft lane. It was road to the finish line now, a bit of an anti climax for me personally. I understand why they use this format though. They could make the route shorter, and all on trails. But it would end up being one 10km long traffic jam!
After running the roads I’d gotten lost in earlier, the finish is in Tring Cricket Club. After being pleasantly surprised by the number of supporters at the finish, I crossed the line in around 1hr 16mins. A quick perusal of the post run cakes and snack stand, and I was back in the car, and onto the next one.
Overall, a really enjoyable race. One I’d recommend, and one I’ll run again in the future.