Our 2 trackstars Darren Cole and Abigail Farwell took the trip over to Berkshire on Sunday to take part in this long established race.
Since 1984, this county championship race has been producing Pb after Pb as its fast and flattish closed roads lend themselves perfectly to a speedy time.
Starting at Cantley Park, the course then winds its way along to Carters Hill before taking on what is known as “the straight mile” before snaking it’s way through some more rural roads as they headed through the villiage of Hurst before looping back to re-join “the straight mile” to power through to the finish back at Cantley Park.
Darren smashed it, proving all that track training is really paying off, by taking a massive 10 minutes off his previous fastest half to gain a shiny new Pb.
“I got a bit boxed in at the start as it was quite congested, but it may have kept me keep my pace chilled to begin with. I still felt really comfortable at 9 miles so I pushed on. I think the last 2 miles were my quickest. I’m so chuffed!”
Abi also ran her socks off, despite nursing a persistently niggly hamstring to get herself a long overdue Pb too! (Coach) Darren had given her a target to work on given her injury, but she tore that up pretty quickly and like Darren, ramped it up in the final miles.
“I felt really good right up until the couple of hills on the return! But once I got back on the flat my hamstring was ok again. I’m so happy!”
And so she should be, it’s been a long time coming. Hopefully all the pain and the doubts are behind her now and she can get back to being a super duper trooper again!
Darren Cole – 1.21.59
Abigail Farwell – 1.45.29
