Diss 15 & 7.5

In the day and age of marathons and half marathons 15 miles seems an odd distance to run. But when you pause to think about it for a country that historically uses imperial measurements then 5 miles, 10 miles, 15 miles and 20 miles would seem very sensible distances to run.  Especially post decimalisation.  13.1 miles would seem to me to be the odd distance to run.

I'm reliably informed that the Diss 15 is a long established race, but I'm not in the position to embellish upon this.  I'll let you guys conduct your own research, or perhaps the race director and fellow club member Stewart Ingram will share that tale with us.

Okay so to the race.  The race HQ for this race is the same as that used by our very own Diss Duathlon, namely that of the Diss High School on Walcot Road and the course is a two lap affair of rural country lanes.  Being two laps makes it very easy for organisers to cater for an additional 7.5mile race and a youngsters fun run.

The course is fairly flat. In fact it's about as near to flat as you're likely to ever to get.  The race doesn't attract too many competitors so you don't have to worry about congestion so well suited for a fast time.

I was using it as a training run as I build my distance back up from a recent Ironman ahead of the Marriotts Way Ultra on the 1st November and whilst I struggled in the final mile I enjoyed the event.  Being two laps you can chart your progress against a negative split, though on the second lap it is obvious that a lot of people opt for the shorter 7.5mile race.  The course is well signed with adequate water stations, two per lap with a third at the turn round point between laps making for water every 2.5 miles. Mile signs on each mile, I'd question the accuracy of their location only because I'm too stubborn to concede that my pacing was out.  I generally clocked 7:50- 7:55 for the miles on the first lap, though the first 7:30, but the eighth through the turn round point was 8:19.  Then the second half was fairly consistent around 7:40 - 7:45 with 7:12 for the 14th mile but then 8:40 for the final mile.

Oh and the other thing I was doing on this race was to practice drinking water from cups.  Normally I take the cup to my mouth in the same way as I'd normally drink but due to running I end up wearing more than I consume.  I noticed on the Ironman Canada DVD (the one that Rob Evans got himself onto) that the elites squeeze the tops of the cups, effectively closing them down to the size of a bottle top, and yes this does seem to work.  All the water in the mouth, result.

Another thing that I liked about this race was the food and cake available afterwards. A round of egg and cress sandwiches, a piece of shortbread and two chocolate sponge cakes all for £1.50. Bargain.  I'll definitely be back, but don't tell too many people as it's the smallness of this friendly event that gives it it's appeal.

Tri-Anglia Results

78 finishers in the 15 miler and 79 in the 7.5 miler, though I notice that Jim MacLeod who entered the 15 but only did one lap doesn't appear in the 7.5 results.

Official results

Robbie Gleeson was there taking photos. Check out adventuresportphotography.com/

Article by Rob Lines
Page created: 18th September 2009.