Hellrunner (South)
Hell Down South
Rob Howard / 15.11.2006
The Saab Salomon Hellrunner was back at Longmoor and the surrounding hills, heaths and bogs for the 3rd time and it was more popular then ever. Word is getting around that Hellrunners brand of off-road adventure running is the muckiest fun you can have in a pair of XA Pros and the race had a full entry with runners coming from all over the country and many large groups travelling from distant running clubs.
Some races had even competed in the Northern Hellrunner at Delamere Forest a few weeks ago and were back for more.
There were a few problems getting everyone in and past the security gate, with a queue back onto the A3 and a slightly delayed start a necessity. In some cases it was the runners own fault however … 15 cars were turned away as they didn’t have valid car tax and so were not allowed onto MOD land!
Inside the camp there was a buzz of activity as everyone got ready to race and some took a look a the large area of nearby sand dunes and the taped section of route known as the ‘Hills of Hell’. The soft ground and hill reps were warning of what was to come but the weather this year had been drier than in the past and one large area of bog had been drained … but another had been found!
The fun runners were first to set off, on a 3km loop round the dunes, and the huge crowd of waiting hellunners cheered the children and adults having a go on. Some of these were in fancy dress, with numerous devils, and even a couple of angels. None was as impressive as the towering devil figure wandering the start area to amuse the spectators.
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