Sedgefield Serpentine

Sunday, September 12, 2010

6.5 miles

Alister Robson

This didn’t get off to a great start when I discovered my Garmin was flat just before, but it turned out to be a lovely morning’s run and I’m glad I chose this over Wallington 10K which was my other option as last race before the GNR. Parked up at Sedgefield cricket club and a very quick discussion with Dave Robson meant a last minute switch to trail shoes – good decision! It was a bit of a haphazard start streaming across the field and down to the underpass which takes you underneath the busy A177 and into Hardwick Country Park and then around the Serpentine lake that gives the course it’s name. A bit twisty and turny and up and down around the lake and another then out on a longer straighter stretch out towards the back of the park and around the quad bikes. Nearly lost my shoe in one particular boggy patch. Struggling a little with pace without my Garmin I was reduced to asking the many course stewards, (mostly Venture Scouts we later learned), the time and how far was left – answers varied wildly, and nearly all told me it was just over a mile to go – even the guy just after half way! Out and round and finally back towards Sedgefield, cutting through Knotty Hill golf club, over at least one stile and a successful climb over one gate, back into the grounds of the hotel and round the lake again and back up through the underpass and into the funnel in what I later discovered was a creditable 50.50. Many other Striders there; Dave R, Geoff and Susan, Jo Porter, Emma and Chris that I saw. A nice little thermos coffee mug, mars bar, lucozade and pack of raisins was the reward. A nice BBQ raising funds for the aforementioned scouts led to a well deserved sausage buttie in the sunshine.

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