My last race was the steepest I have ever done: the Lingmell Nose (shortened Scafell Pike) race, with 1600 feet of climbing and descent in 2 miles. Today was a complete contrast: the Hoby Hop has a little over 300 feet of climbing in its 5 miles. In terms of performance, I am much better at these races through undulating Leicestershire fields than when racing on the fells; but I do enjoy both types of terrain.
I finished in 43:44, as against a winning time of 31:59 by Tim Hartley (M50), who is a sort of Ian Holmes of the Leicestershire countryside, still winning stuff regardless of his age. First woman was Naomi Prosser of Hereford Couriers, who is now living in this area, but I have seen her name on Welsh fell race results.
The ground was pleasantly soft, but not too muddy, after the deluge earlier in the week. However, cycling to the race, I saw that some of the roads across the Soar valley were still flooded, even though there has been no rain since Wednesday morning (at one point I went up onto the raised footway to avoid a flood).
The race is advertised as a trail race, which is correct in terms of terrain; but in other respects it has more in common with a fell race: £10 entry fee, and plenty of cake afterwards.