Where Bungay, Suffolk
When February 19, 2006
First Man Tim Lenton 1:10:34
First Woman Jane Clarke 1:19:49
Last Finisher 3:03:38
No. of finishers 443
A drop of what you fancy does you good. So a goody bag containing a bottle of beer is an ideal treat after an hour or more of effort. At the Great East Run 20K, the race sponsors model their bottles on ones from 1770, so along with your beer you can enjoy a faux Georgian relic.
Before you can lay your hands on your little piece of malty heritage, though, you must first pit your determination and speed against a very pretty Suffolk countryside course.
There's a bit of a hill at the start and finish - as usual, some found it more vicious than did others - but otherwise this single-lap affair is flat and quick.
While the bucolic delights are (along with the beer, of course) a great attraction, the Gold grading - meaning the race is very well organised - given by the British Association of Road Runners (BARR) reassured the more competitive among the field that this would be an orderly contest worthy of their best efforts.
At this year's running, the effects of Britain's bitingly cold February were much in evidence as a frigid wind drove across the course and into the runners as they set their faces and gritted their teeth, but even these inclement conditions could not take away from the enjoyment of honest endeavour in a charming setting. And, anyway, the booze at the end guaranteed you'd be going home warm.
