Saturday 14 December

         

On Saturday 17 members from WIM. WSX and SARUM travelled in Gavin’s school minibus to Brighton for the Annual Brighton City Race – the highlight of the Christmas season for Urban/City race fans.  Various pick-ups in Westbourne and Ringwood and then onwards along the South Coast.

The afternoon was spent having a late lunch and then either shopping (plenty of choice there and could be very expensive) and site seeing or as several of us did – visiting the Royal Pavilions (very exotic and fantastic).  In my case this was then followed up with taking some night time photos of the lights along the front.

By just after 5pm we were in the local school in Middle Street which was the Assembly area.

Maps were issued at 6.20pm and then we walked- en mass – to the Odeon cinema on the front.  Wind was howling off the sea and as soon as you turned onto the front you walked straight into it.  At least it was dry and very mild.  Then the ‘off’ – loud klaxon – followed by lots of rushing in every direction.  Slight anti-climax at first control as it had been ‘nicked’ (first time that has happened for this race and very unusual in city races) so lots of discussion – ‘do we all agree we are in the right place’ and ‘do we agree it has gone’ and then we all continued – so in fact our race almost started again from there.  Rest of the course was fast and furious and included butterfly  sections in the park and in the small lanes with people running in all directions (plenty of scope for quite a few headless jobs here) and then a dash for the finish beside the school.

While we waited for the results to be finalised we had mince pies with tea and coffee – very civilised.

Then prize giving – our group has done very well – 6 of us on the podium

Mens Vet – 3rd Dale Paget WSX

Mens Super-vet – 1st Gavin Clegg WSX

Mens Ultra Vet – 2nd Chris Branford WIM

Womens Super Vet – 2nd Julie Astin WSX

Womens Ultra Vet – 1st Sue Hands WIM and 3rd Charlotte Thornton SARUM

Then the journey back – it was just starting to rain and it was rather a wet return.

A very enjoyable day and Gavin’s organisation getting us all there and back was very much appreciated.

Chris Branford

         

            

Chris Branford's photos on Flickr          Brighton City Race website