For my sins I try to run a half marathon each year and 2017 being no different though now running with my pooch this seemed to be a great one to try and raise a little money for the Challengers charity . The event I choose was the Kelly’s Cross Country Challenge in the exceptionally picturesque grounds of Loseley Park in Guildford.
Arriving early enough to be able to take in the grounds and to get my Dog ‘Cha’ used to the number of people as she can be fairly nervous when it’s busy I quickly found that this event was going to be another intimate affair which suited me just fine. The event was well organised with plenty of volunteers to point us in the right direction so no wandering aimlessly for registration or finding facilities. The event consisted of a number of races 3k, 5k, 10k and 21k myself doing the latter a brief head count and there were around 15 canicross runners across the 3 distances.
The canicross runners would go off with a 10 minute start on the main 10k, 21k runners which was well thought out. The course itself turned out to be 2 laps of the slightly extended 10k and something which I am not a great fan as just like many of us my pooch does remember those steep climbs and can be less than enthusiastic much like her owner.
As we progressed round the course it took us up the north downs link via a number of steep sandy paths which made it hard on human legs though Cha and I had progressed well during the first half running 11k in around 1h:10m which really wasn’t that shabby but by now though the temperature had risen to an unseasonable 18-20deg which was too hot to be pushing Cha’ along as well as her human feeling the heat as well. I had now also discovered that there was only one water bowl for the dogs around the 5km/15km mark which I am hoping was an oversight but I think in future I will check with the race organisers to make sure there is something suitable for our pooches at each water stop. In this instance we were fortunate that there was a lake where I let Cha off lead to cool herself and take some water.
So hot and tired we pressed on but it was clear now it wasn’t going to be a ground breaking time and we ran in at 2h:47s. Much to my surprise I ran in first for the canicross 21 km runners albeit being the only one brave enough to do it in the first place but in the end still an achievement for us both!
Overall the race was well organised, the crowd friendly and fellow runners encouraging and supportive and an enjoyable experience for us both. I would happily recommend it if you are looking for a scenic friendly race of different distances and abilities as well as being able to run with your four legged pal.