Clarendon Way Marathon, Salisbury, Wiltshire. Sunday 1st October 2017.
The Clarendon Way marathon is a point-to-point marathon, run along the Clarendon Way path. This is an ancient footpath which was due to take us from the outskirts of the city of Salisbury, eastwards through the estate of the Clarendon Park (which the route is named after) and finishing in the medieval city of Winchester in Hampshire. It's organised by Rotary club and has been going for quite a few years.
I had booked the early start at 9:30 for "very slow runners" (their words, harsh but fair!) This gave me an extra hour as the main marathon started at 10:30, and the early start was for us runners taking more than 5 hours. There was a cut-off of 4pm which gave us 6 and a half hours to complete the route. It's a hilly, muddy, trail marathon so worth bearing in mind this cut-off if you enter.
I was fretting a bit about the logistics of getting to the start and home after. A bit mundane I know but worth mentioning if you ever want to do this race and are a slower runner like me! There were a few options. I could either drive to start in Salisbury, do the run, then get the shuttle bus back to the start. Or, park up in the park and ride in Winchester and take the bus back to the start and take a short shuttle bus ride at the end back to the car park. The only problem was as I'm a plodder, I was worried about missing the last bus back to Salisbury. I decided to use the park and ride, there was also a last bus - but it wouldn't be so far to get a taxi if I missed it. Lesser of two evils, so I thought.
As per usual the day started early, and I made a short drive down the M3 to Winchester and the park and ride area. Sunday was free parking, another bonus. I walked over the bus stop and got on board the shuttle bus, which the organisers had laid on at no extra charge (result). I got chatting to a lovely lady called Jo, it was her first ever marathon and we exchanged running stories which took my mind off the nerves! The bus wound it's way through the back roads on it's way to Wyvern College in Laverstock, just outside out Salisbury and on the Clarendon Estate. It was a bit of a miserable morning weather wise, and was spotting with rain.
The nerves took a big hit when some of my fellow passengers told me that the 'early start' runners weren't supposed to use this bus but go directly to Salisbury. Doh! Must have missed that in the race notes. I had arranged to plod around the course with my running friend Neil, who'd I met a few weeks before at the Andover marathon. He was waiting for me at the start, so after a few frantic messages he went to pick my number up for me to save a bit of time. I need not have worried really as the bus arrived around 9:10. Neil was waiting patiently outside for me with my number, timing chip and safety pins. There was plenty of time to pick my number up and there was even time to grab a pre-run coffee and use the facilities (no queue for that either!)
Before I'd had much chance to get my bearings, an announcement was made by the organisers for the 'very slow runners' to make their way to the start. A small group of us elite runners walked round to the back of the college and onto the playing fields. The race director - a chap called JJ - gave us a short briefing, the usual stuff. There was a countdown and we were off! The runners surged forward and over the timing mat.
We ran across the field before taking a right which took us onto a quiet back road heading out of Salisbury. Before the first mile, us two were already at the back. There was a dogleg onto a muddy field, where we joined the Clarendon Way proper. Looking back, I could see in the distance the spire of Salisbury Cathedral and some ominous looking clouds.
The mud at this point wasn't too bad, and a marshal enthusiastically guided us across the road and onto the course. Although we were right at the back, we could see plenty of runners in front of us which helped us along. The course was very well marked out, not only with the 'Clarendon Way' markers but also some additional arrow and signs put up by the organisers.
One odd thing about this race was that the mile markers counted down, not up. So after the first mile, we had a sign telling us there was 25 miles left. This was a bit demotivating but never mind, it was still good to know. We plodded across the mud heading towards the wood in the distance. Not before spotting some amusing signs about Pheasants in the road. First world problems.
There were lots of signs up warning us of tree roots, branches and other obstacles as we went through the first wooded section. This made the going a bit slow, as well as slipping and sliding through the mud. I had stupidely worn my road shoes, thinking the mud couldn't be that bad... wrong...
The countryside was really beautiful in this part of Wiltshire, and the trails were nice and quiet and went through mainly rural areas. We saw the odd farmhouse and farm machinery.
We went through the pretty village of Pitton around 6 miles in (or, in Clarendon speak, 20 miles), where an aid station awaited us. The enthusiastic marshals invited us to help ourselves to a really good selection of sweets, crisps, nuts. They even fruit loaf which tasted delicious and really hit the mark, just what I needed. As well as the food there was plenty of cups of water and squash and some sports drink. One marshal described it as "Gin and Tonic" (Isotonic), robbing me of my usual aid station joke!
Neil and I downed as much food as we could stomach and then headed off again. We plodded on for a bit across a field before reaching another road crossing. We were walking at this point and a sarcastic marshal told us to cross the road 'in our own time'. Miserable git! I won't repeat the words we used to describe him, not suitable for this blog! LOL.
On we plodded by now reaching the first of the relay change-over stations. So it was possible for runners to just run a shorter section of the marathon route. Very good, the only problem for us slower marathon runners was that the runners waiting to head off were blocking the path. Also, we had runners with fresh legs really caning it past us. Some parts of the course were quite narrow or muddy, so it was necessary to keep jumping out of the way. But never mind, there were some wonderful views of the countryside to keep us going. It was a shame about the weather, had it been a sunny day it would have been lovely.
We passed through a field of sweetcorn with a very muddy path taking us downhill. Neil took a tumble and managed to land square in the mud, plastering his trousers completely with soggy mud. Neil took it in very good humour but could have come a cropper in the middle of nowhere, it would have been very easy to twist your ankle in that mud. I sort of cheated and trampled along the edge and the weeds, which was bad enough and almost took a tumble myself.
On we went, smarting from our ineptitude to navigate a course downhill without going arse over tit. We went through the villages of West Winterslow and Middle Winterslow. As we were heading through a narrow path we passed a farm with Alpaca (I thought they were Llamas).
They seemed very curious about these crazy runners coming past. I didn't hang around as they looked a bit mean! We entered some more woods and it was good to have a break from the rain. The path was well and truly churned up and a mud bath. We gingerly stepped around the mud which was ankle deep and almost unrunnable, this made for really slow going.
We went past a chap dressed in a spiderman costume, we got chatting to him and his lady companion, turns out he had done hundreds of marathons and loads of ultras. We stopped for a quick selfie with spidey!
By now the signs were telling us there were 11 miles left, and we had our first significant climb of the day. I had been warned about 'the hill' on this course, but this wasn't it! It did go on for a good couple of miles though before we came to village of Houghton. There was a little lake here, and footbridge across the River Test. We stopped for a quick breather here before heading on.
We came to the village of King's Somborne where an awesome aid station awaited us. I asked the marshal if we were in Hampshire and he said "yep, you're well in". So I knew we didn't have too far to go now to get to Winchester, and the signs were telling us 10 miles to go.
With 8 miles to go, we now headed on a really seriously muddy part of the course. Poor Neil managed to go over in the mud - again, and landed on his butt - again. This time it really hurt so he said, but he didn't moan, Neil you're a star. We gingerly went on, and went through the mud very carefully. It was good to leave the mudfest behind and get back onto some decent paths.
At last we got away from slippy slidy fest and onto a dead straight section of the course, and past another drinks station. The lady who I'd met on the shuttle bus (Jo) came past me, she was having a really good race and had started at 10.30 but had managed to catch us up. We got chatting to a lady called Lauren and ran a few miles with her, and exchanged some running stories and general moaning and encouragement.
Now we finally encountered 'the hill'. This was quite a long hill at about 2 miles but to be fair wasn't like some of the beasts I've encountered at White Star events. Still with some 18 or 19 miles in our legs, it wasn't easy and we trudged up it as best as we could, with my calves complaining, and my legs were hurting by now.
I thought it amusing that a race photographer had perched herself at the top of the hill. I usually try and make a bit of an effort to run past photographers, but could really not be bothered this time, needless to say neither did many of the other runners around us. Other runners - I thought you said you were at the back, I hear you cry. Well, there was also a half marathon on at the same time. The start point was half way along the course, and we'd caught up the tail end of that field by now. We had a chat to a couple of runners who were struggling but it was good to know we just had a handful of miles left.
The path improved a lot now, it was compacted gravel with just the odd puddle to contend with and no mud and it was downhill. We managed to pick up the speed a little. As I glanced at my watch I knew we were getting close to that cut-off and we needed to get a move on, so it was good to be able to get a few solid miles done at a quicker pace.
With 3 miles to go, we came to the village of Sparsholt and another aid station, this time in a gazebo where I had loads of fruit bread. We downed this as quick as we could, before heading off over Ham Green and the very last couple of miles of the course towards Winchester. At last we came to the final sign telling us we had 1 mile to go, what a massive relief it was to see that, and we were within the cut off.
We now had a short section on the road as we headed into Winchester, and there was a sting in the tail - this last mile was uphill! After much cursing of the route organiser we dug in and walked up as fast as we could as past a golf course. At the top of the hill we took a left turn and then a sharp dogleg into the ground of King's School where the finish line was right in front of us. Neil made a sprint for the finish line and I also dashed off, but the bastard managed to beat me LOL. We had finished in 6 hours and 24 minutes, with just 6 minutes left before the cut-off. Phew.
We were given our finishers medal and a 'space blanket' (oven ready), and went off to collect a very nice finishers technical t-shirt (incuded in the price). I also picked up a mug, which I had pre-ordered for a few quid. We saw Lauren come in just behind us, we applauded her in and wished her well for her next race.
Neil collected his bag from inside the sports hall at the school. Inside there was a massage area and you could even use the showers. Fortunately, we didn't have to take our shoes off and there was no time for anything except to leave as fast as we could! Neil's family were going to pick him up so we said goodbye and shook hands.
I didn't hang around long as I knew the last shuttle bus was due to leave anytime now for the park and ride. I saw that the final bus was just about to leave to go back to Salisbury, so I would have probably been OK had I chosen that option, but it would have been stressful as I was so close to that cut-off.
I got aboard the bus but it hung around for quite a while, they decided to extend the cut-off a bit for the final runners. A grumpy marshal borded the bus to tell us all to sit tight for 20 minutes. I didn't mind too much as I wanted those final runners to get back safely. Finally the bus got on its way and took us back to the park and ride. The Clarendon Marathon was done. I had enjoyed the route, the countryside and Neil's company. I am not sure I'd do it again though. It was a very muddy route and lots of the course was very soft and muddy, which made running really difficult. The bus arrangements and 6:30 cut-off made for a bit of unnecessary stress. This is an event for faster runners, really. I think on a sunny day, and had I been fitter and faster, I'd have enjoyed it much more.
The Clarendon Way marathon is a point-to-point marathon, run along the Clarendon Way path. This is an ancient footpath which was due to take us from the outskirts of the city of Salisbury, eastwards through the estate of the Clarendon Park (which the route is named after) and finishing in the medieval city of Winchester in Hampshire. It's organised by Rotary club and has been going for quite a few years.
I had booked the early start at 9:30 for "very slow runners" (their words, harsh but fair!) This gave me an extra hour as the main marathon started at 10:30, and the early start was for us runners taking more than 5 hours. There was a cut-off of 4pm which gave us 6 and a half hours to complete the route. It's a hilly, muddy, trail marathon so worth bearing in mind this cut-off if you enter.
As per usual the day started early, and I made a short drive down the M3 to Winchester and the park and ride area. Sunday was free parking, another bonus. I walked over the bus stop and got on board the shuttle bus, which the organisers had laid on at no extra charge (result). I got chatting to a lovely lady called Jo, it was her first ever marathon and we exchanged running stories which took my mind off the nerves! The bus wound it's way through the back roads on it's way to Wyvern College in Laverstock, just outside out Salisbury and on the Clarendon Estate. It was a bit of a miserable morning weather wise, and was spotting with rain.
The nerves took a big hit when some of my fellow passengers told me that the 'early start' runners weren't supposed to use this bus but go directly to Salisbury. Doh! Must have missed that in the race notes. I had arranged to plod around the course with my running friend Neil, who'd I met a few weeks before at the Andover marathon. He was waiting for me at the start, so after a few frantic messages he went to pick my number up for me to save a bit of time. I need not have worried really as the bus arrived around 9:10. Neil was waiting patiently outside for me with my number, timing chip and safety pins. There was plenty of time to pick my number up and there was even time to grab a pre-run coffee and use the facilities (no queue for that either!)
We were able to go inside the sports hall of college. It was good that there was somewhere dry and warm to shelter from the rain, although it wasn't particularly cold outside. Here was race HQ and an area to collect your bib and timing chip. Also here was a baggage drop area (which I didn't need to use), and bags would be waiting at the end in Winchester.
Before I'd had much chance to get my bearings, an announcement was made by the organisers for the 'very slow runners' to make their way to the start. A small group of us elite runners walked round to the back of the college and onto the playing fields. The race director - a chap called JJ - gave us a short briefing, the usual stuff. There was a countdown and we were off! The runners surged forward and over the timing mat. We ran across the field before taking a right which took us onto a quiet back road heading out of Salisbury. Before the first mile, us two were already at the back. There was a dogleg onto a muddy field, where we joined the Clarendon Way proper. Looking back, I could see in the distance the spire of Salisbury Cathedral and some ominous looking clouds.
The mud at this point wasn't too bad, and a marshal enthusiastically guided us across the road and onto the course. Although we were right at the back, we could see plenty of runners in front of us which helped us along. The course was very well marked out, not only with the 'Clarendon Way' markers but also some additional arrow and signs put up by the organisers.One odd thing about this race was that the mile markers counted down, not up. So after the first mile, we had a sign telling us there was 25 miles left. This was a bit demotivating but never mind, it was still good to know. We plodded across the mud heading towards the wood in the distance. Not before spotting some amusing signs about Pheasants in the road. First world problems.
There were lots of signs up warning us of tree roots, branches and other obstacles as we went through the first wooded section. This made the going a bit slow, as well as slipping and sliding through the mud. I had stupidely worn my road shoes, thinking the mud couldn't be that bad... wrong...
The countryside was really beautiful in this part of Wiltshire, and the trails were nice and quiet and went through mainly rural areas. We saw the odd farmhouse and farm machinery.
Neil and I downed as much food as we could stomach and then headed off again. We plodded on for a bit across a field before reaching another road crossing. We were walking at this point and a sarcastic marshal told us to cross the road 'in our own time'. Miserable git! I won't repeat the words we used to describe him, not suitable for this blog! LOL.
On we plodded by now reaching the first of the relay change-over stations. So it was possible for runners to just run a shorter section of the marathon route. Very good, the only problem for us slower marathon runners was that the runners waiting to head off were blocking the path. Also, we had runners with fresh legs really caning it past us. Some parts of the course were quite narrow or muddy, so it was necessary to keep jumping out of the way. But never mind, there were some wonderful views of the countryside to keep us going. It was a shame about the weather, had it been a sunny day it would have been lovely.
We passed through a field of sweetcorn with a very muddy path taking us downhill. Neil took a tumble and managed to land square in the mud, plastering his trousers completely with soggy mud. Neil took it in very good humour but could have come a cropper in the middle of nowhere, it would have been very easy to twist your ankle in that mud. I sort of cheated and trampled along the edge and the weeds, which was bad enough and almost took a tumble myself.
They seemed very curious about these crazy runners coming past. I didn't hang around as they looked a bit mean! We entered some more woods and it was good to have a break from the rain. The path was well and truly churned up and a mud bath. We gingerly stepped around the mud which was ankle deep and almost unrunnable, this made for really slow going.
We went past a chap dressed in a spiderman costume, we got chatting to him and his lady companion, turns out he had done hundreds of marathons and loads of ultras. We stopped for a quick selfie with spidey!
By now the signs were telling us there were 11 miles left, and we had our first significant climb of the day. I had been warned about 'the hill' on this course, but this wasn't it! It did go on for a good couple of miles though before we came to village of Houghton. There was a little lake here, and footbridge across the River Test. We stopped for a quick breather here before heading on.
We came to the village of King's Somborne where an awesome aid station awaited us. I asked the marshal if we were in Hampshire and he said "yep, you're well in". So I knew we didn't have too far to go now to get to Winchester, and the signs were telling us 10 miles to go.
With 8 miles to go, we now headed on a really seriously muddy part of the course. Poor Neil managed to go over in the mud - again, and landed on his butt - again. This time it really hurt so he said, but he didn't moan, Neil you're a star. We gingerly went on, and went through the mud very carefully. It was good to leave the mudfest behind and get back onto some decent paths.
At last we got away from slippy slidy fest and onto a dead straight section of the course, and past another drinks station. The lady who I'd met on the shuttle bus (Jo) came past me, she was having a really good race and had started at 10.30 but had managed to catch us up. We got chatting to a lady called Lauren and ran a few miles with her, and exchanged some running stories and general moaning and encouragement.
Now we finally encountered 'the hill'. This was quite a long hill at about 2 miles but to be fair wasn't like some of the beasts I've encountered at White Star events. Still with some 18 or 19 miles in our legs, it wasn't easy and we trudged up it as best as we could, with my calves complaining, and my legs were hurting by now.
I thought it amusing that a race photographer had perched herself at the top of the hill. I usually try and make a bit of an effort to run past photographers, but could really not be bothered this time, needless to say neither did many of the other runners around us. Other runners - I thought you said you were at the back, I hear you cry. Well, there was also a half marathon on at the same time. The start point was half way along the course, and we'd caught up the tail end of that field by now. We had a chat to a couple of runners who were struggling but it was good to know we just had a handful of miles left.
The path improved a lot now, it was compacted gravel with just the odd puddle to contend with and no mud and it was downhill. We managed to pick up the speed a little. As I glanced at my watch I knew we were getting close to that cut-off and we needed to get a move on, so it was good to be able to get a few solid miles done at a quicker pace.
With 3 miles to go, we came to the village of Sparsholt and another aid station, this time in a gazebo where I had loads of fruit bread. We downed this as quick as we could, before heading off over Ham Green and the very last couple of miles of the course towards Winchester. At last we came to the final sign telling us we had 1 mile to go, what a massive relief it was to see that, and we were within the cut off.
We now had a short section on the road as we headed into Winchester, and there was a sting in the tail - this last mile was uphill! After much cursing of the route organiser we dug in and walked up as fast as we could as past a golf course. At the top of the hill we took a left turn and then a sharp dogleg into the ground of King's School where the finish line was right in front of us. Neil made a sprint for the finish line and I also dashed off, but the bastard managed to beat me LOL. We had finished in 6 hours and 24 minutes, with just 6 minutes left before the cut-off. Phew.
We were given our finishers medal and a 'space blanket' (oven ready), and went off to collect a very nice finishers technical t-shirt (incuded in the price). I also picked up a mug, which I had pre-ordered for a few quid. We saw Lauren come in just behind us, we applauded her in and wished her well for her next race.
Neil collected his bag from inside the sports hall at the school. Inside there was a massage area and you could even use the showers. Fortunately, we didn't have to take our shoes off and there was no time for anything except to leave as fast as we could! Neil's family were going to pick him up so we said goodbye and shook hands.
I didn't hang around long as I knew the last shuttle bus was due to leave anytime now for the park and ride. I saw that the final bus was just about to leave to go back to Salisbury, so I would have probably been OK had I chosen that option, but it would have been stressful as I was so close to that cut-off.
I got aboard the bus but it hung around for quite a while, they decided to extend the cut-off a bit for the final runners. A grumpy marshal borded the bus to tell us all to sit tight for 20 minutes. I didn't mind too much as I wanted those final runners to get back safely. Finally the bus got on its way and took us back to the park and ride. The Clarendon Marathon was done. I had enjoyed the route, the countryside and Neil's company. I am not sure I'd do it again though. It was a very muddy route and lots of the course was very soft and muddy, which made running really difficult. The bus arrangements and 6:30 cut-off made for a bit of unnecessary stress. This is an event for faster runners, really. I think on a sunny day, and had I been fitter and faster, I'd have enjoyed it much more.
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