Ian Dyer took himself just across the water to embark on this solo mission around the countryside surrounding Waterlooville.
This 21 mile course is almost entirely run on footpaths, bridleways and farmland.
Starting in Clanfield the course follows almost the same course for the Winter Plod, winding its way through the Meon Valley, skirting the Queen Elizabeth Country Park and taking in panoramic views across to our beautiful Island from afar.
However to get to this wonderful views, Ian had to conquer some hills… some big hills… and some really big hills! Some of them were way over 700 feet (that’s not too far off Culver and Tennyson Downs put together) so to say it was a challenging course is in many ways an understatement.
“I was running well for the first 12 miles, but in the heat it was hard to balance my hydration. After a big climb at mile 17 the temperature got the better of me, and slowed me down. I was enjoying it until that point. I’d done the marathon there a couple of years ago so I sort of knew what I was letting myself in for. It was just a different challenge of heat instead of mud this time”
But he made it around the course in one piece in a not too shabby time of 4.28.30 and a fantastic 27th place.
Well done Ian! Luckily there was a pub next to the finish line, so a well earned pint was in order.
