Goring 10k Report by Richard Brown
I was warned about the hills of Goring no less than four times by different Roadrunners only two weeks before.
Terms like “long drag”, “uphill” and “difficult climbs” were thrown around far too much for my comfort, but nevertheless come the morning of Sunday the 8th of March I hopped in the Cumnor contingent car.
Ros and Marina seemed very chipper on the drive down, pleased with the sunny weather and equally sunny daffodils lining the roadside as we approached Goring-on-Thames. I kept my silence, wondering if I should have packed crampons and rope. How does one train for running up a mountain? More Tuesdays with the speed crew on the Botley hills would surely have helped.
Goring Primary School acts as a convenient event hub, with plenty of helpful volunteers helping to ensure the event goes off without a hitch. The atmosphere was upbeat pre-run, plenty of friendly hellos and best wishes from fellow Eynsham Roadrunners as we queued to pick up our numbers. Being handed number 410 I’m wished “a good run”; do the volunteers not know? The met office doesn’t even bother to publish a mountain weather forecast for the South Oxfordshire Alps.
As we approached the start line, we positioned ourselves in the appropriate timing pen and shared some final high-fives and “good luck”s. I tried to prepare mentally among the 710 other runners taking part, though all too soon, we were directed to the start line. Promptly at 11am, the starter’s gun fired, the crowds cheered and we began our ascent.
1km later, we reached the highest point, a brutal 50 meters of vertical from the start line. I may have worried too much, we faced only 137m of ascent across the whole 10K course; I guess I’ll be running the Matterhorn next year!
From the pinnacle, we wind along country lanes, past farms and hedgerows. The course does proceed along some roads which are mostly closed for the duration of the race minus a singular road crossing where we had to wait 10 seconds before proceeding. If anyone asks, it wasn’t the lack of training but this one holdup that prevented a PB. Entirely outside of my control.
After the crossing and a very short off road section, we pass under the railway and make our way along the Thames. We tour some of the neighbouring villages en route, South Stoke providing ample support and some much needed water. One of my favourite views that day was looking out over the countryside and being able to see our route extend for miles into the distance, a line of runners leading the way as the sun shone above. Times like this really help to make this whole running thing worthwhile.
Finally we get to descend that accursed initial climb back into the village of Goring, opening the legs up as gravity works with rather than against and before I knew it the finish line came into sight. A generous crowd and plenty of good cheer bringing everyone home. Water and flapjacks presented at the finish line, with a wide range of additional cake available for purchase. Easily replacing all the calories burned off.
A huge congratulations to everyone who took part! Results are available for everyone to see alongside photos as well. I will happily return to Goring, if anyone does try to warn you about the hills; don’t be put off as it is an event well worth the effort.
