Kymin Hill Race (WFRA winter hill series) 10.01.09, by Ivan

10/01/2009 by Lou.

…along with quite a few other harriers.

A really nice race of around 4miles up the Kymin next to Monmouth.
Starting on a small footpath (tightly packed) near to the May Hill Hotel, the route climbs along a mixture of footpath,s road (~400m?), field in a continuous climb until you are just beneath the Kymin (& only a couple of hundred metres as the crow flies), before quite cruelly descending down along more winding paths & fields almost back to the bottom before beginning a second ascent….

The second time up, is much more gradual following a path that steadily climbs around the hill until you join the Offa’s Dyke, from here you run along the ridge to reach the Kymin (approx 4.5km/2.9miles ish). Then the fun begins….

From here it’s a flat out race (not quite in a straight line) across a few fields - dodging some horses (i was on a collision course with one and had to stop to allow it across in front of me, it didn’t seem to get the idea of deviating to avoid me and my flailing down-hill arms!), along a track, quick descent down a steep path before you come out on the short stretch of road you ran up on the way out, from here you just have to keep going and stay on your feet to the finish.

A whole bunch of Harriers made it along to the event today, some only deciding at about 1pm that they’d go and do it (start was at 2pm!!):
Tom Gibbs was 2nd overall.

Martin Pengilly
Steve Caldwell
Ivan Teed
Mark English
James Blore
Liz Francis
Andy Blackmore
Andy Stott
Neil Grant
Esther Barrett
Sue Ashton (FV50 winner)
Gill Stott
Dick Finch

Gerry Ashton
Syd Wheeler

These i believe are roughly the finishing order, although not sure about all of it, apologies for any errors and any harriers ommitted.
Results should be on the http://www.wfra.me.uk/ when available.

Thanks to the organisers for a great event, and sandwiches in the pub afterwards.

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