Stowmarket Striders Friday 5

7.45pm 5 miles in 37 mins 2 mins

Week to date mileage 19 miles

Month to date mileage 107

Average weekly rate 29.9 miles

Average monthly rate 130

Year to date 738

Lifetime 10331

The Stowmarket Striders Friday 5 took place at Haughley Park which was once the home of the Dukes of Suffolk and you can see why with the extensive grounds and 17th century house.

This was my first attendance at the Stowmarket Friday 5 having previously only attended the Bury event. This is a lovely cross country event with 2 laps of a course combining woodland pathways, trackways and plenty of twists and turns and 1 or 2 hills.

I liked the fact it was 2 laps this gives the spectators in a short race something to view all of the time.

The weather held fair despite the ominous looking dark clouds and the appearance of a double rainbow proved that heavy showers were present in the area.

Entry on the night at the registration tent was possible and it certainly appeared that good numbers were taking part.

The only problem with the whole event was the lack of toilets. The four portaloo's couldn't cope with the numbers but it wasn't a big problem as large numbers chose to visit the bushes and water the rhododendron's.

After a good junior race the entries to the main race walked out to the start and then commenced along the flinty trackway back up a slight rise and past the spectators and into the woods where the course was lovely and shaded.

You had to watch your footing for trees roots and a few pot holes but this is an enjoyable course and a real pleasure to get of the road.

I ran most of the way with Chris Cook from Saint Edmund Pacers before he got a 2nd wind on the last lap and I couldn't keep with him and I see he just managed to catch Roger Brand before the finish line also from the Pacers.

I always prefer the t shirts given at races to the medals given at races and the bright distinctive orange t shirt given out at the end of this race was good.

My mile time splits were 6.28, 7.24,7.42,7.37 and 7.51 a right mixed bag of times !

Well done Stowmarket Striders great event!