Where Telbury, Gloucestershire
When November 19, 2005
First Man Richard Malin 33:02
First Woman Sharn Stroud 43:09
Last Finisher 1:53:46
No. of finishers 340
When prizes are awarded for the UK's most picturesque 10K, the Tree Trot will be near the front of the queue.
The dazzlingly beautiful course winds through The National Arboretum, at Westonbirt, which is home to many of the UK's tallest, oldest and rarest trees. Late autumn is the perfect time to run the course because at that time of year its 18,000 trees and shrubs display radiant reds, oranges, ochres and golds.
Westonbirt near Tetbury is also the perfect place to record a fast end-of-season time along a delightful, mostly off-road course that is largely flat with one small hill.
Much of the course was an impressive carpet of red and orange leaves and for those who couldn't pick out the more famous residents, small path-side signs pointed out trees of note. Good vibes were also in abundance as many recreational runners joined club athletes at the start line.
Most of the field had agreed to raise money to support the Macmillan Cancer Nurses appeal. Some were dressed in autumnal fancy dress with several runners sporting stuck-on autumn leaves and not much else.
Astonishingly, only seven runners went under 40 minutes, making it a prime race for non-elite trophy hunters.
