THE WINTER SOLSTICE STRIDER WEDNESDAY 21ST DECEMBER 2022

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Race report by Linda Bussey – The Winter Solstice Strider

This is a brand new race from Sue Ryder and Race Best, so as well as a great race you’re raising much needed funds for Manorlands Hospice.
The race takes place in the St Ives Estate in Bingley, most of which is woods. Being the shortest day of the year it was absolutely pitch black so running lights were a condition of entry.
There was a choice of 5k- 1 lap or 10k-2 laps both starting at 7:30pm. Walkers were welcome as well as runners. The walkers were set off a short time after the runners. The only stipulated cut off was for the 10k, if you hadn’t finished the first lap by 8:30pm you were not permitted to start the second lap.
We had a lovely clear night for the race, and at 7°c and no wind, conditions were perfect.

We set off on time, over the beeping chip mats and off along the little road past the golf club which was nice to enable people to shift places, then it was past the lake and off into the Scotch fir plantation to confuse the local owl population. There was a lovely smell of pine trees and little lights bobbing along illuminating the path ahead.
Then came the climb up the rocky path, past Lady Blantyre’s Rock and the golf course to the top gate through to Altar Lane, the queue at this tiny gate gave a welcome breather after the hill.
Once through a right turn took us down a long trail with clear views of the lights across the valley.
A right turn through the walls took us back into the estate past Druid’s Altar and down into Bell Bank Wood before heading back up alongside the main drive back to the finish or to start the second lap.
The field thinned considerably with most runners having entered the 5k so the route was much darker on lap 2 but the course was well marshalled and signed so with your trusty head torch you couldn’t go wrong.
Coming into the finish there was a great atmosphere and the usual beautiful race medal, alcohol-free beer, water, tea, coffee and hot chocolate on offer which was most welcome.
All in all it’s a really wonderful and different winter race, I can’t wait to do it again next year! ☺️