As part of our running club there’s certain races that the cost is refunded to us. We just haven’t had the time/energy/motivation to actually attend club runs as of late. Mainly because my husband and son don’t get in until just before the time of the run. So naturally when they said that Chedworth Roman Trail run was the club race we managed to motivate ourselves enough to sign up! Last year we did the 10k Ross Riverbank run.
About Chedworth Roman Trail
A very fun but challenging race. Organised by Cirencester AC, with the 5 mile option in its second year.
Restrictions
There is a cut off time of 2hrs 30minutes applies to ensure the safety of all participants. Advertised as no walkers – but this is really for the afore mentioned time. As I said people were walking early on, and there was definitely a lot of walking for those around myself.
No Canicross entrants.
Facilities
Parking was on a field right next to race HQ at Chedworth Village. This is just 6 miles north of Cirencester.
Indoor toilets, coffee, milk and cake in the village hall (no muddy shoes), and portaloos outside.
Water was provided just before the river crossing (which was not long before the 5k mark for the 5 milers).
Entries available on the day.
5 Mile Chedworth Roman Trail Course
A scenic 5-ish mile single lap of Cotswold countryside close to the famous Chedworth Roman Villa. Going through Stowell Park and the Coln Valley. Challenging multi-terrain with a variety of undulating tracks, footpaths, field and featuring a river crossing.
If ever a running club suggests a race never believe them when they say it’s flat! Without looking I knew there would be hills. My Strava says that the elevation gain was 170m. In fact really early on there was just a queue of people walking uphill!!
Start
Registration was open between 9-10am with the race beginning for both 5m and 10m at 10:30am. Gun time for all prizes, so those expecting to be fast needed to get to the front.
My Experience of the 5 Miles of Chedworth Roman Trail
It felt like a lot of planning and thought had gone into this race. Thank you so much for everyone who took their time out. With things like the river crossing I am assuming it was even more important to ensure all the health and safety boxes were ticked.
Therefore, it was really disappointing that not everyone had the respect to be quiet for the whole briefing. Despite being quite close to the front I was unable to hear it all. Plus in fact people did end up shushing the crowd.
As my Club Run
It is always nice to go to races where a lot of people you know are. Not only from my own club but I did see a few from others too. Also, despite the cut off time, I feel that there was a good mix of abilities. Around me I felt that there was a lot of encouragement from one another.
As it was a club run I did start with my club vest on. Honestly I was too hot very early on and stuffed it in my pocket. This I think caused many club supporters to miss me.
The Course itself
Great big inflatable arch for start and finish made it nice visually to know where the line was.
One place I was a bit confused was the arrow for 5 miles was before the water station and looked like you needed to head up towards the 10 mile route to get it. In fact our son totally missed out on water as was directed away from it.
My Vibram Five Fingers were perfect for the trail conditions and gave me a bit of advantage I feel when running downhill amongst the rocks. However, there was more road running that I had envisaged and that was quite hard.
Feel
Of course I found it hard. Wouldn’t be worth doing a trail run if it wasn’t. What really surprised me is how much I struggled to run at all after the river crossing! It gave me a lot of insight for when coaching my youngsters. Although they probably would not be as deep/wet.
Too scared to jump in (and advised not to) I literally sat down on the bank and lowered myself in. Next I walked across and pulled myself up!
Sprint Finish
As most of the bit before the finish was on road I super struggled. A sort of sprint was possible but not enough to beat the other club running I had been trying to keep up with. The man I had encouraged early on got a proper wiggle on and overtook us both!
Prizes at Chedworth Roman Trail
Unfortunately the awards were for the first 3 males and females and for age categories MV40 to MV70 and FV40 to FV70 and first male and female teams. Team and finishers awards.
As our son was 4th male he did not win anything (5th overall). As there was no junior prize (he was in fact the only junior).
My first in my age category lady finished in 41:09. I think I was third with 55 minutes – so stood no chance.
Instead of a medal we were given much more practical Buffs. Plus photos were provided for free.