Stunning grounds a real winner

2017 Review: Part II

CHILLINGTON HALF MARATHON

THE breath-taking grounds of Chillington Hall were the setting for my second half marathon!

The Hall, near Brewood, in Staffordshire, is a Georgian Manor house, but has been the site of the Giffard family home for over 800 years.

This was the first event organised at Chillington by Mash Running - and was a real winner!

The route takes you through the stunning grounds, and is simply gorgeous. At the start, you run down an expansive lawn in front of the house, only to execute a U-turn – to run back up towards the elegant frontage. What a thrilling experience!

In the grounds themselves, you run around a large pool, under an old bridge or two, through wooded areas; sheer indulgence for the senses. One highlight that remains vividly in my mind is the kaleidoscope created as runners followed the track around the pool, their vivid colours reflected in the glassy water.

One to sign up for (here) if you fancy running through the delightful historic grounds of a family residence that can be traced all the way back to the Norman invasion.

FIRKIN 5

THIS was the inaugural a run of this quirky event – and one to raise a cheery glass to. It’s one of

those I feel will grow in popularity, once word gets around.

LANDMARK: The distinctive
Hook Norton Brewery.

This wonderful, off-road race is set in the picturesque Cotswold village of Hook Norton, and is sponsored by the Hook Norton Brewery. That should give you a clue as to an underlying ‘theme’ to the race – beer!

Have you ever participated in an event where the ‘hydration’ station gives you a choice of water or a glass of refreshing ale!

Funny how the remainder of the run went in a flash after taking a few sips!

The run started at Hook Norton brewery, then wound its way through the beautiful Hook Norton, before turning into a field and a fun-filled muddy climb to the top.

The views across the rolling Cotswold countryside from some sections of the trail are spectacular. Although billed as a 'fun run,' there are some challenging sections, and plenty of miles across grassy fields!

ALL SET: Waiting at the start of the Firkin 5.

GRASSY ROUTE: Part of the Firkin 5 route.

But any exertion is well rewarded, and the beer and burger at the finish made a tasty finale.

The brewery seemed to make a lively trade, too, and I was one of a number of participants loading up the boot of the car with a selection of ales after visiting the brewery shop!

I think I'll be tottering back to this one!

Other races during the year included the Knowle and Dorridge Arden 9 mile, Northbrook 10k and Stratford Summer 6.

All thoroughly enjoyable, although the Arden 9 was a real scorcher, and the Stratford run has a ‘welcoming’ hill right at the end!

NEXT: 2017 Review, Part III - Lesson learned the hard way