Alton Downland Challenge 2007

On Sunday 7th October I ran for the first time since I returned from Mexico in the annual Alton Downland Challenge 10km race.

I managed, somehow, an excellent time (for me) of 46mins 53 seconds. I think this phenomenal performance was down to my running strategy in part and the change in the route of the run.

My strategy was based on the fact that I had no stamina, so I decided not to try and hold anything in reserve and to just 'go for it' at the start and run as hard and fast as I could for as far as possible (as it turned out about 3kms) and then 'hang on' and try to finish.

The Alton Downland Challenge is usually run over a very hilly 'Downland' trail across the very beautiful hills to the east of Alton, but this year because of the potential of Foot and Mouth restrictions the course was changed to twice round a flat boring 5km course, so everyone finished with good times...

If you want to see the result for yourself visit The Alton Runners Downland Challenge Results Page and you will find me about half way down the page (80th finisher).

The photo at the top does include me - I am on the right, and I'm in this one too, on the right (circled)