Gibbet Hill 10km, Devils Punch Bowl

A very surprising event! My first real trail run.

As these mid week events start to get every more popular with the high volume of events at weekends I can only hope it continues. One of the few events held during the week but which looked very interesting from its description.

On arrival at the event I did not know what to expect apart from my first true taste of trail or off road running. First impressions where good with the very helpful organiser Dave and great team from The Sports locker, who did a great job in helping those late registrations.

The event is a point to point starting and finishing a few hundred yards apart. The event is basically a steady up hill with various challenging footings on some trail paths through forests to the mid point. Here after the trails I had expected was a truly outstanding view from the highest point on the course over the surrounding country side - unfortunately with out stopping the great view was short lived.

At the start and the finish I meet various people who had in some cases traveled quite a distance for this event. One such person, who was making the event part of his training for the Great south run, had taken a diversion from his normal route home form London to Winchester. Good luck for the Great South run and I'm sure your daughter and original reason for entering will be in for a shock if she try’s to keep up with you.

My first real trail event this year in terms of slightly uneven footing in areas. Good training for future longer off road events in the calendar. A great change from the standard road racing.

The event was also well finished off with plenty of sports drinks provided by the organisers and sponsors plus the opportunity for any runners to socialise in the local pub.