Where Moseley, Birmingham
When April 19, 2009
First Man Andy Crawford 17:32
First Woman Carol Wilkinson 19:04
Last Finisher 58:47
No. of Finishers 97
Under clear blue skies and with sunshine beating down as runners followed a burbling brook through acres of greenery it was easy to forget this race was taking place less than two miles from the centre of Birmingham. The songs of hundreds of birds added to the illusion of rural idyll.
Held as a fundraising initiative for children with disabilities, the Foundation for Conductive Education has been organising running events in Cannon Hill Park, one of Birmingham's largest, for three years.
The first few hundred metres was a fast downhill stretch. However, with only the slightest of undulations and good Tarmac pathways throughout, the rest of the course turned out to be not too much slower, providing plenty of interest and few obstacles.
The first two kilometres took runners around the boating lake and past the Nature Centre (the observant may have spotted a sheep or two). The next two kilometres were spent alongside the River Rea and finally, a slight incline led onto a clear, flat sprint to the finish.
This was a genuinely friendly event with all standards, including walkers, taking part. Finishers were treated to a kit bag, medal, banana and more. The real treat on the finish line, however, was the many PBs achieved on this fast course.
