My second running of the Belvoir Challenge (15 mile version), and a different route to last year just to confuse me! I wasn’t really sure what the plan was – slow and steady, or go for it? In the end I decided for the latter, which worked reasonably well. The route was just as muddy and difficult as last year, but the purgatory was broken up in the first half by a nice chat with a bloke who carried on to the 26 mile course (no thanks!). The second half was familiar ground, although I’d forgotten just how long the ridge goes on for.

I finished thirty seconds quicker than last year, although a GPS inspection shows that route as being a couple of hundred metres shorter. I also dropped a few places, coming in 17th this year compared with 14th last year. It’s difficult to compare though; there were more entries this year (707 in the 15-mile), but there’s no distinction between runners and walkers. I was pretty pleased in general though, particularly since it feels like I haven’t been out much lately. The only downside is a blister the size of Belgium on my left foot, which has somewhat inhibited any running since. Nonetheless, it’s Charnwood Marathon in a couple of weeks so the show must go on.

Finally, a “well done!” to other Barrow Runners at Belvoir too – Emily came in third overall and first female, at mile 26 Rob looked as fresh as he did on the start line, and James “took it easy” to do the full course in a little over four hours!