Race 46 of 60 @ 60: Alva Games

I used to think that Coniston Gullies was steep and that the downhill was difficult to run. Then I went to Alva - the maddest race of all by far. 1200' of climb packed in to three quarters of a mile, according to my Strava track, but at least 400m of that is round the sports field then along the road so it really is 1200' up in half a mile as the BOFRA listing says. I arrive at the top alongside three other V60's but my quads are burned out - six races in 19 days now - that's too much! The downhill is worse than the up. With no way to stay on your feet you descend with the grass burning your backside, dust in your eyes and gorse in the palms of both hands. I like a good descent but with the legs already destroyed by the climb I can't keep up with last year's winner, Ray Gill from Helm. Second V60 again. Brilliant in the end though, to be cheered into the finish by a couple of thousand spectators, even if that final lap round the track does really hurt.

Arriving at the top
in some distress!

The sports field from the top.
Photos from Lindsay Buck on Facebook
from Jim really - Lindsay ran the race

Result: 27th/65  V60: 2nd/6  Time: 33:38

Distance: 2.4km  Climb: 380m (Strava measurements)