Make Life Better by Miles
Perfect late summer/early autumn running conditions this year for a superbly organised race around the trails and paths of Beckenham Place Park.
The Beckenham 10k trail race has a testing course with a handful of sharp climbs, and plenty of grass and gravel. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming amongst the 200 or so runners.
At the finish you are greated with free tea and cake.
Always a welcome treat.
The Harry Hawkes 8 is a great little race.
Almost dead flat, the course is mostly tarmac trails along the river Thames, with a bit of grass, shale and road thrown in, as well as a jaunt through Kingston town centre. Well organised and marshalled, there are clear mile markers and a good atmopshere. Start and finish are outside Thames Ditton cricket club, which couples as race HQ, meaning there is plenty of space.
Only gripe is the 3 portaloos for 350 runners, but whenever do race organisers provide enough toilets?
Best of all though was the weather. Given the horrendous downpoors over the summer it was fantastic to run a race without a single drop of rain.
Sonia O’Sullivan ran too, adding a nice dollop of Olympic style glamour.
Well, almost.