Cakeathon. Cuxton, Kent. Monday 28th August 2017.
I fancied a little run on the summer bank holiday and to burn off some off excesses of my summer holiday. This race had attracted my interest for quite some time; I am very partial to a good slice of cake so a cake-themed marathon seemed to combine two of my favourite things in one event!
The event was held at Ranscombe Country park, in the village of Cuxton in Kent. I'd run the similar Ranscombe summer challenge a few months previously, also organised by "Saxons, Vikings and Normans". The publicised course was exactly the same route, so I knew what I had myself in for. Or had I?!
The family and I went down the day before to stay with my friend Chris, who lives in the nearby Medway towns. So although it was an 8am start, it meant I didn't have to get out of bed that early!
Chris very kindly gave me a lift to the start. As I got out of the car I spotted Somei (who I had met at the East Hanningfield marathon back in January). It was Somei's 100 marathon so a very special race for her. I signed the 100 card for her 'MCL (Mad Chinese Lady) 100 run'. I also saw my running buddy Rachael and exchange some light hearted banter.
I made my way over to the registration desk where I picked up my race number and punch card.
So Cakeathon was a so-called 'challenge' event. So there is an 8 hour time limit, and you do as many laps as you can of a course that is about 4.4 miles. If you do 6 laps, then you've hit the magical 26.2 miles and it counts as a marathon and a strike towards the 100 marathon club.
I had bought a bag with me, with a jumper and 'emergency rations' for pre and post race (not really necessary given the amount of food on offer!). Bag drop was basically a tarp set onto the field, with Traviss and Rachel keeping their eye on it. (race directors and owners of Saxon, Vikings and Normans). Traviss had provided three porta-a-loos which was more than adequate for the 100 or so runners ready to take on the challenge. There was a queue but it moved quickly.
As this was a cake themed race, Traviss had asked the runners to bake a cake and there was judging with prizes for the best cake. Sadly, I had failed to bring a cake with me, but next time I'll do so. A gazebo had been set up in the start/finish area, with dozens of cakes set out, a very impressive display and it looked really tempting! The idea was you get to sample a slice of cake at the end of every lap. There was also the usual aid station set up, with sweets and salty snacks available as well as squash and water.
Traviss assembled the runners at 7.50 and we have a quick briefing as well as some awards for fellow runners and a special mention for Somei and her 100 marathon. It was a beautiful morning, the sun was already out and it was pretty warm already although not baking just yet. I had read the weather forecast and liberally applied sun cream which turned out to be a wise move!
The runners assembled by the start line. This wasn't a chip timed race so there wasn't a timing mat and not really even a marked start. Traviss counted down from 5 and then we were off! Cakeathon had begun.
The very first part of the route had slightly changed from the previous time I'd run it. We now had to go through a mowed field and then divert back to the path. This made for a bit of a slog on the first half mile or so. The poppies that I had seen from back in June were all but gone but still the fields were glorious. We climbed the first hill and I got chatting to a lady called Sheila, who was from Maidstone and knew my running buddies Jules and Jo who I'd ran Beachy Head with the previous year. What a small world.
The downhill part near the first railway line was a blessing, although it was in the open sun so easy to over cook it and overheat, so I just took it nice and easy. I was doing my usual strategy of run/walk, and walking up the hills. As I got to the end of the downhill, of course it went straight back up again, with some steps and then a right turn. This part of the course followed a short section of the North Downs Way. Now started the real slog of a climb, however the stunning views of the open countryside towards my left more than made up for it. I also bumped into my running buddy Lucy and we stopped for a mandatory selfie before she went on ahead.
There was a brief respite from the climbing as I went though a field of friendly cows before a right turn and then the climb started once again.
Crossing through a kissing gate the worst of the climb was ahead of me, a real slog but fortunately though a shady wood. This was a killer of a hill, and it hurt the first time, by the last time I tacked it, going up felt liking wading through treacle with a concrete ball attached to each foot.
Once I reached the top of the hill, then there was a sharp left turn as the runners headed up towards the mausoleum and Cuxton Park (part of the National Trust). In the morning sun the mausoleum looked amazing and this was one of my favourite part of the courses.
After that little plod round the mausoleum, the course went back on itself which gave all of us runners a chance to exchange some banter and generally encourage each other. This also marked the easier part of the course - it was now pretty much all downhill back to the start, and I was able to run this and make some time back up.
There was a nice long path leading downhill, mostly in the shade which was very nice as it was getting increasingly warm. At the bottom a sharp right turn and then the course followed a cutting of the channel tunnel rail link.
Back into the woods, then a small climb back up before merging blinking into the sunshine and a short section on tarmac back to the start.
So, first lap done. The friendly marshals at the aid station punched the first hole in my card, and the cake meister offered me to help myself to any of the dozens of cakes on offer. Although I fancied a huge slice of chocolate cake, I made do with a 'mere' chocolate brownie. It was delicious though, although the chit chat and hanging around did cost me quite a few minutes. Not really an issue though as there was plenty of time to get the 6 laps done.
After stopping to drink lots of squash, I was off again. I also had my camelbak with me with two liters of sports drink, which I was very glad of. As I completed my second lap, things were beginning to heat up considerably. The sun was creeping up and with little cloud around, I could feel myself getting very warm so I decided to slow it down a little. As I completed the second lap, Traviss had finished the cake judging and just announced the winner, as luck would have it the lady who baked the winning cake was there at the same time and there was a cheer for her. I also got roped in by Traviss to help move the gazebo so the cakes stayed in the shade. You don't get that on the London Marathon! haha!
As I completed my third lap, I was now really hot. As I got the third hole punched in my card, Traviss handed me an ice lolly, and I was also congratulated by the friendly marshals on completing a half marathon. I've never been so grateful for an ice lolly in my life, it tasted wonderful. That trudge across the field at the start was now starting to bite, although I was still able to run it, my legs were hurting.
No matter as the glorious scenery and wonderful late summers day made up for it. The steps up to the North Downs Way were no longer funny but seemed to be laughing at me and my attempts to bound up them, and that slog up the final hill towards the path to mausoleum was getting really tough. But never mind, you don't complete a marathon by focusing on the negative and I was just enjoying chatting to fellow runners and looking at the wild flowers.
Another lap done, and I had slowed down quite a bit by now although still carrying on with the run/walk, the run segment had slowed down and I was walking slower up the hills. When the heat was like it was on that day, you have to adjust your pace to match otherwise you're going to be in trouble. As I downed some cups of squash, I got the bladder of my camelbak refilled but in my runners haze failed to seal the top properly. As I bent over to tie a shoelace, I felt a splurge of blackcurrent squash down my back. Nice! That'll teach me haha.
I was now on my fifth and penultimate lap. Just near the mausoleum I stopped for a quick selffie with Somei, who was running dressed in a pink superwoman costume along with Apyrl who had a matching costume; Paul was running with them too. It was good to catch up for a quick chat before heading off again.
As I finished my fifth lap I now tucked into a giant slice of chocolate cake, which tasted wonderful! There was little chance of hitting the wall eating all these calories even if it did cost me some time in hanging around eating and chatting; but that's the whole point of these sort of events. It's less about a race and more about enjoying the event and completing all the laps.
I was now on my last lap. I was really tired by now and my legs and pelvis hurt with the slog of climbing up those hills, and I was boiling hot. Thank god for the camelbak as it kept me going and avoiding dehydration.
The last lap was great though - I could mentally say 'good riddance' to the worse of the climbs and each step was a step closer to the finish. As I emerged from the woods for the last time and took the left turn, I headed up to the finish.
Chris had returned, and their too was Mel and the kids, cheering me in. That was really lovely. I headed to the finish area and rang the finish bell. Traviss recorded the number of laps (6 of course) and my finish time, shook my hand, gave me my finishers medal and handed me a goody bag. The bag was great - a giant bar of chocolate (like I wasn't sugared up enough as it was!), a can of cider and some crisps.
The kids were allowed to tuck into the cake stand (plenty left!). Somei had also finished and I congratulated her on finishing her 100 marathon. I downed the last of my drink but still felt a bit thirsty, there was plenty of water left at the aid station.
I was almost half an hour slower than my previous time here at Ranscombe but no matter. I'd had an excellent time and thoroughly enjoyed it, and eaten enough cake to sink a battleship. Tired and hot, we headed back to the car and Mel drove me back to Hampshire. That was number 37 done and dusted.
I fancied a little run on the summer bank holiday and to burn off some off excesses of my summer holiday. This race had attracted my interest for quite some time; I am very partial to a good slice of cake so a cake-themed marathon seemed to combine two of my favourite things in one event!
The event was held at Ranscombe Country park, in the village of Cuxton in Kent. I'd run the similar Ranscombe summer challenge a few months previously, also organised by "Saxons, Vikings and Normans". The publicised course was exactly the same route, so I knew what I had myself in for. Or had I?!
Chris very kindly gave me a lift to the start. As I got out of the car I spotted Somei (who I had met at the East Hanningfield marathon back in January). It was Somei's 100 marathon so a very special race for her. I signed the 100 card for her 'MCL (Mad Chinese Lady) 100 run'. I also saw my running buddy Rachael and exchange some light hearted banter.
I made my way over to the registration desk where I picked up my race number and punch card.
So Cakeathon was a so-called 'challenge' event. So there is an 8 hour time limit, and you do as many laps as you can of a course that is about 4.4 miles. If you do 6 laps, then you've hit the magical 26.2 miles and it counts as a marathon and a strike towards the 100 marathon club.
I had bought a bag with me, with a jumper and 'emergency rations' for pre and post race (not really necessary given the amount of food on offer!). Bag drop was basically a tarp set onto the field, with Traviss and Rachel keeping their eye on it. (race directors and owners of Saxon, Vikings and Normans). Traviss had provided three porta-a-loos which was more than adequate for the 100 or so runners ready to take on the challenge. There was a queue but it moved quickly.
As this was a cake themed race, Traviss had asked the runners to bake a cake and there was judging with prizes for the best cake. Sadly, I had failed to bring a cake with me, but next time I'll do so. A gazebo had been set up in the start/finish area, with dozens of cakes set out, a very impressive display and it looked really tempting! The idea was you get to sample a slice of cake at the end of every lap. There was also the usual aid station set up, with sweets and salty snacks available as well as squash and water.
 |
| The cake meister |
Traviss assembled the runners at 7.50 and we have a quick briefing as well as some awards for fellow runners and a special mention for Somei and her 100 marathon. It was a beautiful morning, the sun was already out and it was pretty warm already although not baking just yet. I had read the weather forecast and liberally applied sun cream which turned out to be a wise move!
The runners assembled by the start line. This wasn't a chip timed race so there wasn't a timing mat and not really even a marked start. Traviss counted down from 5 and then we were off! Cakeathon had begun.
The very first part of the route had slightly changed from the previous time I'd run it. We now had to go through a mowed field and then divert back to the path. This made for a bit of a slog on the first half mile or so. The poppies that I had seen from back in June were all but gone but still the fields were glorious. We climbed the first hill and I got chatting to a lady called Sheila, who was from Maidstone and knew my running buddies Jules and Jo who I'd ran Beachy Head with the previous year. What a small world.
There was a brief respite from the climbing as I went though a field of friendly cows before a right turn and then the climb started once again.
Crossing through a kissing gate the worst of the climb was ahead of me, a real slog but fortunately though a shady wood. This was a killer of a hill, and it hurt the first time, by the last time I tacked it, going up felt liking wading through treacle with a concrete ball attached to each foot.
Once I reached the top of the hill, then there was a sharp left turn as the runners headed up towards the mausoleum and Cuxton Park (part of the National Trust). In the morning sun the mausoleum looked amazing and this was one of my favourite part of the courses.
There was a nice long path leading downhill, mostly in the shade which was very nice as it was getting increasingly warm. At the bottom a sharp right turn and then the course followed a cutting of the channel tunnel rail link.
Back into the woods, then a small climb back up before merging blinking into the sunshine and a short section on tarmac back to the start.
No matter as the glorious scenery and wonderful late summers day made up for it. The steps up to the North Downs Way were no longer funny but seemed to be laughing at me and my attempts to bound up them, and that slog up the final hill towards the path to mausoleum was getting really tough. But never mind, you don't complete a marathon by focusing on the negative and I was just enjoying chatting to fellow runners and looking at the wild flowers.
I was now on my fifth and penultimate lap. Just near the mausoleum I stopped for a quick selffie with Somei, who was running dressed in a pink superwoman costume along with Apyrl who had a matching costume; Paul was running with them too. It was good to catch up for a quick chat before heading off again.
I was now on my last lap. I was really tired by now and my legs and pelvis hurt with the slog of climbing up those hills, and I was boiling hot. Thank god for the camelbak as it kept me going and avoiding dehydration.
The last lap was great though - I could mentally say 'good riddance' to the worse of the climbs and each step was a step closer to the finish. As I emerged from the woods for the last time and took the left turn, I headed up to the finish.
Chris had returned, and their too was Mel and the kids, cheering me in. That was really lovely. I headed to the finish area and rang the finish bell. Traviss recorded the number of laps (6 of course) and my finish time, shook my hand, gave me my finishers medal and handed me a goody bag. The bag was great - a giant bar of chocolate (like I wasn't sugared up enough as it was!), a can of cider and some crisps.
The kids were allowed to tuck into the cake stand (plenty left!). Somei had also finished and I congratulated her on finishing her 100 marathon. I downed the last of my drink but still felt a bit thirsty, there was plenty of water left at the aid station.
I was almost half an hour slower than my previous time here at Ranscombe but no matter. I'd had an excellent time and thoroughly enjoyed it, and eaten enough cake to sink a battleship. Tired and hot, we headed back to the car and Mel drove me back to Hampshire. That was number 37 done and dusted.
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