The sun shone as I drove north through Sussex to the start. Crowborough is famous, not only as the home of Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle, but also as the highest inhabited point about sea level in East Sussex. I found the race headquarters in damp thick fog.
The race is hilly, two laps, comprising a long descent, an ascent and a brief flat stretch. It is easy to go too fast on the first downhill, as I did. The uphill starts with a ford, and it is a mark of pride for many to run through it. I did so on both laps.
I first ran this race in 2011, I see, the year after it was snowed off. My times have been as follows
2011: 1:01:32
2012: 1:02:33
2013: 1:04:33
2014: 1:02:20
So, while today’s time was not a course personal best, it represents improvement. It would be lovely to run it inside the hour. Perhaps it is still possible.
