Where Arlington, Guildford
When December 14, 2008
First Man Hassan Raidi 41:38
First Woman Barbara Yff 48:09
Last Finisher 1:41:55
No. of Finishers 644
Many of the finishers at the 49th Hog's Back 8 would've liked to have seen more of the fantastic scenery the race had to offer; unfortunately, fog is a regular feature of this run. But poor visibility didn't dampen what was an impressive event.
The course was an up-and-downer between the villages of Arlington and Loseley, and those who hadn't run it before were in for a shock as runners were confronted from the off by the Hog's Back itself – a 500ft-high chalk ridge carrying the A31 between Guildford and Farnham – a climb of 3.5 miles.
A water station at the halfway point marked the start of what was a largely downhill but undulating second half to the race; it also heralded the end of the busier roads and allowed the runners to take in some quiet country roads and fields through Compton.
Loseley House, a 440-year-old stately home, provided a stunning backdrop for the final mile and finish.
Minor issues, such as a solitary water station and some confusing mile markers, shouldn't change people's perception of the event. The Hog's Back is a welcome fixture in the running calendar: good organisation, efficient marshalling and a challenging yet scenic course means it thoroughly deserves to be seeing in its 50th birthday next year.
