Waddesdon Manor 5k

by Jo Sharples

 

Organised by Vale of Aylesbury AC, the Waddeson Manor 5K is a mid-week, non-chip timed evening race around the grounds of this national trust site. The race director also organises the Aylesbury Boxing Day 5K, and sports one of the most spectacular moustaches in the area.

 

I ran this event last year when unfortunately the course got changed last minute and ended up being a 1.5M up hill and 1.5M downhill. It got renamed a ‘hill race’ and everyone got a Waddesdon Manor beer as an apology. This year they had reverted to the original course and I thought great, this can’t be as hilly… wrong.

 

It was just Sam and I from LBAC this year, there were impressive turnouts from LFR, Dacorum & Tring AC and Vale of Aylesbury AC. As we were driving there I did wonder why 7 weeks into marathon training I had entered a 5K but remembered how lovely the grounds were and thought yes, I may have distance and not speed currently in my legs but I’ll enjoy this evening.

 

The race started and Sam promptly disappeared into the distance (after saying, “You’ll probably beat me tonight”). We then started the climb, how had I forgotten that the first 2-3KM were uphill?…my legs started to scream. But the view that waited for us at the top of the hill was worth it, we ran directly in front of the Manor and then started the lovely downhill. My legs had started to forgive me but it always amazes me how tiring running downhill is. I was pleased I managed to overtake a few people in the last 2K, including a Fun Runner. I finished in 21.11min, and 11th female, Sam finished in 19.19min and definitely beat me. We both collected our free Waddesdon 5k mug each and made our way home.

 

Although it has a tough and uphill start the event is one I would do again, its local, well organised, and very scenic. Maybe next year we can improve our attendance and see more purple and gold.