RW Race Report - Gloucester New Year 10

The icy car park at the start gave runners a taste of what was to come on this popular post-Christmas blast along undulating country lanes.

Despite a crisp winter morning with bright sunshine, there was still ice on the roads and thick frost on the grass verges for the first few miles, forcing runners to change pace to avoid slipping and sliding out of the race.

After passing through a quiet housing estate, the course crossed the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal before taking runners on a single loop along quiet lanes with panoramic views of the rolling countryside.

At this 26th running of the event, the course was the reverse of the route taken by runners in previous years, and the change proved popular. Fewer hills offered potentially faster times, and the field of 75 per cent club runners generated stiff competition.

The long walk back to race HQ to collect a finisher’s mug provided an opportunity to warm down before indulging in the excellent homemade cakes and hot drinks on offer. No prizes are awarded after the race, and any money raised is donated to a local charity.