The first race of the Hampshire Cross-Country series took place today at nearby Farley Mount. There was a good turnout from Southampton Running Club with both mens and womens teams. The 3km loop has a couple of steep climbs and descents and, although dry underfoot, is bumpy in places. The senior men complete three laps and the women two.
Christine was feeling unwell but struggled round to fill the last place in the womens team. My legs were, not unsurprisingly, still a bit tired from last weekend so I deliberately didn’t race off at the start. I didn’t feel too bad after the first lap so picked up the pace a little and jockeyed for position with Eric Parker, also from Southampton. As we climbed the ascent at the start of the third and final lap I was able to pull away. Couldn’t quite catch Matt West despite the hamstring injury that was obviously giving him grief at the end. Finished in 68th place in a time of 33:14.