Back With a Splash – Hell is a Wet Place!

Rob Howard / 06.01.2014

The iconic Brooks Hellrunner series could have been back with a bang for 2014 given it takes place on the Longmoor firing and tank training ranges, but it was more like back with a splash for nearly 2000 competitors on Saturday January 4^th.

There may have been those who hadn’t quite recovered from the holidays, and some who heard all the severe weather and flood warnings, and so decided to stay in bed ... but they missed a great race and will be regretting it now.  Yes, there were flooded roads and downed trees, but Hellrunners are hardy souls and they made their way to Longmoor Camp through torrential rain, and were rewarded with one of the toughest running courses on the calendar, in the wettest condition ever.

There were lots of satanical and heavenly fancy dress costumes, but none to match the devil himself, who appears on stilts for the pyrotechnic start and then plays DJ at the Devil’s Disco at the Bog of Doom.  He appeared to set off the 3 start waves, who headed off into the woods, hills and sand dunes which were awash with surface water.

For those new to the race the number of hills is always an unwelcome surprise, they are relentless and this year the water obstacles were deeper than they have ever been. The infamous Bog of Doom is usually wadeable and the exit a mud pit, but not this time. It was a swim! Passing under the flaming archway and into the smoke it wasn’t at first easy to see the bobbing heads in the water ahead but the ground soon fell away and swimming was the only option. Cheering crowds lined either side of the bog and The Devil played his music as the race passed through.

The final parts of the course keep the challenges coming, with near vertical descents and climbs, more wading and a finish in the sand dunes of the tank training area. Then just before the finish line there was one last dip into muddy water before crossing the line.

This year saw the closest finish ever between ‘Flash Gordon’ (Stanmore) and Joseph Dale (Hackney).  After overcoming all the natural obstacles nature and Trailplus could throw at them they crossed the line almost side by side, recording the same finish time of 1.14.51, but with Gordon just a half step ahead and taking the closest of wins. (His chip time was actually 7 seconds slower than Dale’s but in Hellrunner first over the line is the winner.)

The Ladies winner was Jackie Field (Haslemere) in 1.32.15, more than 5 minutes ahead of Katie Murray, and the runners who got the most out of their day and showed the greatest determination were Ann Jennings and Katie Camfield, who were out there for over 4 hours!

Next up for the Brooks Hellrunner series is Hell in the Middle, at its new location at Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire on April 26^th.

You can see all the results and find out more about Hellrunner at www.hellrunner.co.uk

The race photos are at www.randrphotos.co.uk

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