I ran the Steyning Stinger trail marathon on Sunday and appear to have been the only deckchair present.
Briefly as fellow Harriers have reported on this race in previous years, there are four tough climbs on the South Downs from which the race is named, but the real feature this year was the mud!
Following the snow covering melted by overnight rain conditions were akin to Cheeky’s Bog for much of the course.
The challenge of trying to run downhill without making any progress despite the assistance of gravity has to be experienced to be believed – think running in quick setting concrete!
First home were Jonny Burke (Goring Road Runners) in 3.36.38 and Jess Gray (Wycombe Phoenix Harriers) in 4.00.35. I finished 133rd in 5.16.50.
Route marking and marshalling were excellent and the entry fee includes a post race full English breakfast. There is also a half marathon which follows part of the same route. Highly recommended.
Guy