Saab Salomon Hell Runner Series
Hell Down South
Rob Howard / 07.11.2007
Once again the race was lucky with the weather on the day, though the recent dry spell meant a bit less mud and water than some might have liked. There was more than enough for an entertaining couple of hours however!
With so many competitors it was like a major marathon start as the elite shot off from the front line at the start gun while the majority filed across the start mat, a process which took almost 5 minutes before everyone could start running. Quickly into the lead as he ran past foxholes and a half buried tank, was Nick Sharp of the Saab Salomon team, the winner of the first Hellrunner 2 years ago.
The course then lead out through Longmoor inclosure for some fast trail running, which helped split the field up a little before they arrived at the sting in the tail of this devilish run. By the time runners arrived in the Weavers Down part of the forest on the second half of the 10 mile route, the number of hills was increasing and there were some more serious obstacles in the way. Race Director Paul Magner felt this year’s route (it changes every year) was “shorter but hillier and harder than the previous two races�.
The first serious obstacle was the infamous ‘Bog of Doom’, which was set right by the old airfield used as a car parking area, so most racers had already had a look and knew what to expect. The bog was the main spectator area too and hundreds lined either side of the 5m wide channel filled with black and murky looking water. Sharp was first to arrive, now with a strong lead, and soon the mass of runners were pouring through, churning up the mud and raising a pungent smell of decay. There were less logs causing obstructions this year, but a few unlucky racers still fell and came up black from head to toe.
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