Race report by Terri:
Jay and I took on the Defeat Delamere 16k yesterday. We got there early to register, which was lucky because after trekking back and forth to the car park 4 times to drop things off, pick things up, get ready etc. we’d already clocked 6k before the race even started. If you ever do this one, just know the walk to the start line is basically an event in itself.
The climb up to Pale Heights is a proper leg tester and a “why did I sign up for this?” moment – 176m over approximately 1.5 – 1.8km but the views at the top and knowing there’s a downhill coming up makes you forget everything. Then it’s downhill, past the dairy farm, and deep into the forest. The weather and terrain was perfect – sunshine, warm bits, shady forest stretches, wide gravel tracks mixed with twisty dirt paths.
My plan was to keep things steady for the first 10k and then gradually pick up the pace. I spotted Jay around the 12k mark and thought, right, I’ll keep him in sight. Had a couple of jelly babies… which I’m now convinced he spiked (only joking) because at 13k I suddenly felt a bit dizzy so took a quick walk until it past then carried on and eventually could see Jay again, he was about 100m ahead.
I usually find a bit of energy for the end and thought I might close the gap on Jay or even beat him but my legs weren’t having it. I finished in 1:37:03 (first in my age category!) and Jay crossed in 1:36:22.
I’d happily sign up for this one again, it was a gorgeous route and just the kind of challenge I enjoy.
