Many thanks to Lauren Udall for taking the trouble to write the following event report for the Romsey 5 Mile Beer race on the 4th of June 2017.....
Braishfield Beer Race is one of my absolute favourites. Which is odd because it is undulating. I hate hills. That said, I love short running. I've never been a distance runner and it is a pretty 5 miler out the back of Romsey. It is a couple of loops although they aren't the same and it is so scenic, there were so many baby cows (calf never sounds as attractive).
My journey to Braishfield took me via my Grandparents house. Although I see a lot of them they are constantly teaching me things. I found out today that true Romsey people call Braishfield 'Braaaaaashfield'. It does feel a little like deepest darkest Hampshire and being a very small race it has a wonderful community feel.
The start is on the village cricket pitch which as you would expect is a lawn of perfect bounce and cut. For some strange reason I was dragged into a warm up by Mr Dunlop. Being an 'athlete' of inconsistent delivery I rarely warm up. This may say a lot but today's run around the cricket field with my friends and some newer club members was highly amusing.
Braishfield Beer Race is one of my absolute favourites. Which is odd because it is undulating. I hate hills. That said, I love short running. I've never been a distance runner and it is a pretty 5 miler out the back of Romsey. It is a couple of loops although they aren't the same and it is so scenic, there were so many baby cows (calf never sounds as attractive).
My journey to Braishfield took me via my Grandparents house. Although I see a lot of them they are constantly teaching me things. I found out today that true Romsey people call Braishfield 'Braaaaaashfield'. It does feel a little like deepest darkest Hampshire and being a very small race it has a wonderful community feel.
The start is on the village cricket pitch which as you would expect is a lawn of perfect bounce and cut. For some strange reason I was dragged into a warm up by Mr Dunlop. Being an 'athlete' of inconsistent delivery I rarely warm up. This may say a lot but today's run around the cricket field with my friends and some newer club members was highly amusing.
We held a minutes silence at the start and then we got underway. After the lap of the cricket pitch you head out to the village and up hill towards Timsbury. This is great for me as I am really terrible at pacing so I always go off too fast. I started with Carol and Sheryl but after 3 miles I couldn't keep up with them. Both ladies are really on form and I had to eat their dust.
The second loop is a shorter version of the first and I'll admit I walked the hill. We got into the recreation ground which is where the finish lies and did the loop of the field. Its easy to forget this loop as the finish line lies right in the middle so if you are anything like me it is really easy to start your sprint finish too early. Thankfully, I know this race so I didn't sprint until the last turn and then I totally went for it.
I love a sprint finish. I can't always manage it any more but I tried today. I was raced by a man (pictured in purple) and he pipped me to the line but at least I gave it a good go.
The second loop is a shorter version of the first and I'll admit I walked the hill. We got into the recreation ground which is where the finish lies and did the loop of the field. Its easy to forget this loop as the finish line lies right in the middle so if you are anything like me it is really easy to start your sprint finish too early. Thankfully, I know this race so I didn't sprint until the last turn and then I totally went for it.
I love a sprint finish. I can't always manage it any more but I tried today. I was raced by a man (pictured in purple) and he pipped me to the line but at least I gave it a good go.
The best part about the race is the finish. There is a free pint of beer for all the runners (or 4 if you are Terry Orr and your friends don't want theirs). There are cakes which would put any school fete to shame.
It's a great race, short and sweet, rewarded with an ice cold beer and cake. I'd encourage anyone to have a go.
Lauren x
Lauren x
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