GVS 25th marathon. 05/10/2013.

This was a special (one-off?) cross-country / trail marathon put on by Goyt Valley Striders to celebrate their 25th anniversary. It consisted of two different loops with base at Whaley Bridge, same base as for Whaley Waltz, so ideal for train access up the Buxton line. Race route here. There was also a single loop half marathon option.

Most of us thought it would be an easy one. We might have been misled by an inappropriate 'R' word somewhere along the line. In the event it most definitely was not a ROAD race. The terrain was more what I'm used to but it took longer than expected and left me feeling more used than usual. 4:55 and serious recovery needed for a marathon? There seemed to be some fitness to claw back.

Many thanks to Kevin Day and all the Goyt Valley Striders for putting on such a well organised event with lovely mementoes at the finish. A GVS 25th mug, medal AND weighty shoe trophy did seem rather generous. The warm, sunny weather made it a perfect day.

I didn't take my camera but Andrew Thrippleton took a good crop of pictures. I was oblivious to the following one.