I love the Classic and that part of the forest. This event has for many years been one of my favourites, being the first really big event of the year and always one of such high standards. It also came just after my birthday so launched me on my last year in this age group. This year was no exception to the enjoyment of this event.

The long walk to the start gave one a good chance to warm up gently (very important when you are a geriatric like me!) and thank heavens for the clothing dump as it was a bit chilly to start with. The run started well on Short Green with, as usual, in this part of the forest,  the straight line on the compass being the best choice.  Easy, I thought picking up the crossing tracks, silly old fool, as the clearing in which the pit lay was not to be seen!  I joined another headless chicken (from Wessex) and eventually we were led into it by Trevor who started 5 mins after me, thanks Trevor. That little lot took me 14 mins to find so I was not too happy!!  

After that things improved and it was all plain sailing hitting each control on the dot. I veered a bit right to the wrong re-entrant on 3 but it didn’t add more than a few seconds.  I found some good shin deep mud at one point but a deep pool of water cleaned that later on! I went a bit to the right going up the slope at 5 but it was  easy to follow the banks back to the control.  All  plain sailing then until 11, where I reverted to beginner mode and followed a couple of runners who obviously knew where the last control was!! Of course they were on a long course, so that wasted another minute or two when they ran across a track that should not have been there!.

Oh well I thought not one of my better days.  So I was amazed to find I managed to come 12^th  after all that, but mortified to find Trevor had beaten me by 3 mins but then he is a young man so I suppose I should not complain! Of course as normal Bill Vigar from QO came well ahead, I just don’t know how he does it! A first rate day, just the right length and wonderful weather.  Thanks to SOC for another fine event.   

Roger Hills