other last-minute entrants from around the country who I’d now class as friends for life. The event was so far removed from my normal diet of 10k road races I still can’t quite believe I’ve done it. Leg 1: 2pm Saturday, 41 minutes The mass start and the biggest cheer I’ve ever experienced for the start of a race. Leg 2: Saturday 9.30pm, 41 minutes Dusk and the first opportunity to test out my head torch.
Leg 3: Sunday 2.30am, 44 minutes Utterly surreal and what this event is all about, the start/finish area packed with people. Battling my body clock and trying not to get lost in the woods. Leg 4: Sunday 8am, 44 minutes My legs were shot to bits but at least it was light and I’d been promised a bacon and egg butty at the end of it. For the record, the leading solo competitor completed a mind boggling 20 laps, that’s 126 miles in 24 hours. My team
came 4th in our category and 5th overall out of over 100. Without doubt this was the best running experience I’ve ever had. It’d be great to get a Harriers team or two out for this next year, it’s a fantastic opportunity to bond and indulge in all things running related. We most certainly have the endurance athletes in the club to excel at this event. Send me a message via the forum if you’re interested.
One last thought: thinking through why the Thunder Run is such a great event, I’d add that it’s a bit like having 29 events all at once. Every back-slapping departure and every sweaty homecoming brought a fresh challenge, an exciting result and a story to go with every hour. Do a 10k or a half and you get one story, one result. We got 29 between 8 of us. That’s the enjoyment factor right there.
The Thunder Run weekend was 31 July – 1st August. For more info
www.tr24.co.uk
ILKLEY HARRIERS NEWSLETTER • SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER 2010
19
ROB CRAYTON
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