After last year's inaugural walk where we were directed down the wrong track and not having enough marshalls I was looking forward to this event for the second time. The Leith Harrier Club had taken on board all the criticism by altering the course, having more marshalls and making it 10kms.
It had rained for almost three days so the course was very wet and slippery. Going across Chingford Park was the first obstacle as by the time we hit the footpath, everyone had wet feet. I was in third place for the first 1km as we headed past the Bethune's Gully entrance by 250m where the Moutain Bike track was. We followed this winding track back to the Bethunes Gully track. We then walked up the track until directed onto a bush track. It was steep and very muddy. I started to feel the effects of the walk. I was slow and pased by three walkers. At a plateau we walked through lots of mud and water. When we started to descend through sodden paddocks I found it very difficult to keep my footing, falling over a number of times. I was passed by more walkers as I struggled with my footing. Once on a gravel track and flat footpaths I was able to pass most of the walkers except two who had passed me. I managed 5th place out of 33 in a time of 1:07:04. This race cannot possibly be 10kms as my PB for 10kms is 1:13.
When I finished I looked as though I had been in a rugby match played on a muddy field.
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