Hullavington 20 – 19th March 2023
by Kate Matheson
With lots of spring marathons just a month away, the Hullavington 20 mile race is perfectly timed so that you can enjoy a supported 20 mile run through scenic Wiltshire countryside with a bit of chat on the way round and a slice of cake at the finish. I signed up with fellow GWR member and regular long run pal Janine, and we were pleased to realise that there was going to be a strong GWR showing amongst the 130 starters.
Hullavington isn’t particularly accessible by public transport, so despite the relaxed 10am start, we needed to drive there. We parked pretty easily in the village and walked a short distance to the Race HQ – a.k.a. the village hall – to pick up bibs and safety pins, use the facilities and drop bags for the end of the race. We then spent a pleasant half hour or so sitting on the floor, chatting, eating bananas and discussing previous race triumphs and badgers. As you do.
With 15 minutes to go, we were called to the start, a couple of announcements read out and off we went. The route is 2 laps through some gently undulating countryside. The two laps are slightly different, but aside from passing a house with a phenomenal turret on the second lap, we were slightly confused as to how exactly they were different. The first 10miles pretty much flew by as we settled in with a pack of men from Royal Wootton Bassett and had some good chat and marathon sledging with them. Lots of horses in the fields, some daffodils coming out, blueish skies and a feeling of spring in the air made for very pleasant running. The second lap was just as pretty, but we pulled back a bit from the slightly speedier chaps and let them head off for their sub 3 hour goals – we just wanted to get round with some steady miles at normal training pace.
There were water stops roughly every 4 miles, and we knew from the first lap that the last one was just before quite a steep hill with 3 miles to go. Steady pace or not, we agreed to walk and drink up that last hill, and psychologically it was nice to have that to look forward to. With a final gel, a little walk and less than a parkrun to go, the last 2 and a bit miles were really just a formality. Turning the corner into the village, and passing an ‘are you ready for cake?’ sign, we picked it up a bit and finished just a couple of minutes over 3 hours having had a lovely morning (and well ready for cake and mother’s day).
Notable mentions for other GWR members include Kelly Dicks, who was first female, and Alice Doggrell who was first FV40. Callum Moore was 6th overall and Janine and I weren’t last. Good runs also from John Cox, James O’Hara, Laurence Caird, and Wills Purcell and Hillier.
I’m not sure a quiet 20 mile run on open roads with no crowd support (although delightful marshals) is everyone’s idea of a brilliant race experience, but for a local race with easy logistics, charming countryside, cake and a medal, it’s a great way to get that last 20 miler in. Good luck with your marathons gang!
