The Bridge on the River Wye

Wye Ultra had everything. Sunny weather; chip timing (surely a runfurther first!?), a handy pub near the finish to quench one's thirst while watching the last runners struggle in.

Unfortunately, the one thing it didn't have was a means of crossing the Wye. The bridge was down. Or, rather, the bridge was up, but there was a big health-and-safety notice slapped on it.

I'm sure some runfurther types wouldn't blink an eyelid at forging the raging torrent - all part of the experience - but the organisers weren't so keen on the idea. The route was redrawn, to become two laps of an out-and-back course. Sadly, no pleasant meandering through the Forest of Dean; instead, about half the distance was on road, with much of the remainder on a winding single track path running along the edge of the river to the turn-around point.

It made for entertaining running as we turned at the furthest point and came charging back at full pelt into the stream of runners arriving. On a path rarely wide enough for two abreast, it was a slight wonder that no-one was knocked into the river.

It proved to be an exciting start to the series, with a fast pace set from the gun and some very close racing at the front end. It was Allen Smalls who powered through to first at the finish despite lying in fourth place at the last turnaround point. Matthew Ray and Andy McNeill were biting at his heels though, only seconds behind, and another 4 or 5 runners were in within 5 minutes. Plenty of points, and all to run for in the rest of the races!