Larmer Tree Trail Marathon
White Star Running Larmer tree trail marathon…I was really looking forward to this one, it was going to be my first trail marathon and my first English one –2 ticks off the list!
It was never going to be about time but boy was it a looong day. I am up at 4am to get to Newport to meet with mates to car share, Lliswerry Runners on tour again, this time heading South west. I’m not the best passenger to say the least and for me the 2 hour journey to get to Salisbury was enough (another 10 mins in the car and we would of been stopping curb side anyhow). Feeling green we collect our number from the The Pavilion in the grounds of Larmer Tree gardens. There are a lot of excited people milling about, some returning from the day before when they held the 10k and half marathon races. Do a doubler and you get an extra medal and White Star Running have some pretty impressive bling…before we even finish this race we’re talking about signing up for some of the other races that they do!
We get a humorous race briefing at the start by Race director Andy and the sweeper – not a pacer – is pointed out. The first 6 miles is mostly rural lanes, through Farnham with its chocolate box cottages before we head back pass the start and join the main trails of the route – the 20 milers set off 30 mins after us so eventually we start to mingle, there’s a steady stream of runners and we never really found ourselves “out on our own” along the route which was nice. We head through Rushmore Estate and into Chase Woodlands, it’s wet and slippery, much what you’d expect after the rainy start but as we head out of the woods the weather clears and the sun is trying to peak through. It’s when we hit the “big” hill at mile 18 the mud became thick and cloying; it sapped your energy and destroyed even the most light-hearted, easy going person. It just seemed relentless. Once at the top we were back on trails with views of Cranbourne Chase to the right as we ran along the ridge. Taking a sharp left we finally arrive at the “Love Station”. The music is blaring, drinks are flowing and free hugs are on offer. It definitely had the party atmosphere going on, with cider, beer, wine and shots of vodka on offer behind the free bar, as well as cakes, crisps, pretzels, nuts, sweet, gels….we stop to soak up the atmosphere and take on a drink or two. By now the sun is shining and we’re buoyed by the fact we’re nearly there! It’s all downhill (well nearly) from here. We run along tracks of farmland before we hit our last hill, helpfully signposted “UP”. We pass Rushmore golf course where we also saw dear hurtling across the fields before heading back into Rushmore Estate and it’s large folly (we stop to take a selfie of course). We said “we start together, we finish together” which is exactly what we did, crossing the line holding hands 5 hours and 45 minutes after setting off in the morning.
I’m impressed by how much trail we ran on this 26.2 mile run, the course is well mapped out with hilarious sign posts to keep your spirits up. It had hills, trails, tracks, mud and rocks. The frequent water stations, which really should be called picnic stops, were well stocked with squashes, water, cakes, sweets, crisps and gels and very cheery marshals. Hot food tokens are handed out and there’s lots on offer, pasta, pizza, burgers etc. in The Pavilion of Lamer Tree Gardens, there’s also a massage available to with a small donation to the local students (but unfortunately we missed these, too intent on scoffing our food).
As my first trail marathon I loved it, I wasn’t out for a pb or even a time. I was there to enjoy it and I did! It was a tough course but I felt good, struggling on some of the grassy hills but kept it strong. The route is lovely (albeit from the mud) organisation good, marshals and support brilliant, aftercare impressive. The Venue with its gardens and peacocks is a must visit!
