Notorious Night Series - Legends of Sherwood
Merry Men and Maids
Gary Vallance (Rat Race Adventure) / 05.04.2011
For the final installment of the 2011 Notorious Night Run series, competitors made their way to Sherwood Pines in the heart of the East Midlands, each looking forward to a challenging course, a notorious after-party, and the opportunity to become one of the latest “Legends of Sherwood�.The format presents two options: a 5km(ish) afternoon run, or a 10km (and a bit) version, starting at dusk, and running into the dark. Not for the faint-hearted, but as fun as they are adventurous, both routes feature an abundance of natural and man-made obstacles, with some fantastic off-road (and often off-trail) running ... in fancy dress.
British Summertime had arrived in Sherwood Pines, and the 5k participants seemed reluctant to move from the grass of the event village, soaking up the spring sunshine. But at almost four o’clock, they were summoned to the starting arch, given their final briefing on the ups and downs (and overs and unders) ahead, before charging as one over the first hurdle, and disappearing into the forest.
<b>The Daylight Dash</b>
Within minutes, benign pine trails narrowed, and the course headed straight into dense thicket. The constant red and white streamers that marked the route remained, but the tracks simply vanished. The light and temperature fell as participants forged ahead, gained and lost places as they swarmed through the trees.
Then came warm sunlight once again as they left the trees via swooping singletrack to reach a horizontal scramble net, suspended high between closely planted trees, above a soft landing of pine needles. Then almost immediately, they were onto their hands and knees to negotiate a ten metre long tunnel concealed below ground level, in full darkness and chest deep in dry leaves.
The 5k(ish) route takes a shortcut, where the 10k(and a bit) route extends. For the earlier race participants enjoy a muddy moment at the hands of the mischievous course planner, before regaining the 10k route for its feature-rich finale, and the adulation of the crowd at the finish.
The first Merry Man home was Chris Colquitt, in 34:55, and first Merry Maid Caroline Tedstill in 43:36. The first of the 5k fancy dressers was Lucy Watkins, ninth overall, one of many of the day’s Robin Hoods.See All Event Posts
