Mud and Mayhem 10km runners are treated to clear skies and delightful forest running

Race report: Mud and Mayhem 10K- Thetford Forest, March 17, 2013

March 17th saw the return of the Mud & Mayhem race format to Thetford Forest. With weather forecasts warning of a constant downpour from early morning there was a fair amount of apprehension as people lined up but in the end this was ill founded as the skies stayed clear and we were blessed with near perfect race conditions. The course was muddy due to recent rain which all added to the fun on the day.

The course is a delightful mix of forest running with plenty of opportunity for overtaking, a tough climb in the middle and a beautiful wooden crossing of the Little Ouse at the end of each lap. Setting off along the northern bank of the river before heading into the forest trails on the other side

Over 250 runners signed up for the picturesque trail race, a big increase on last year, with 191 finishers also breaking new ground. Robin Webb set a strong pace to win the 10k race in 38:33, 20 seconds outside his winning time from last year. He was closely followed by Liam Kirk in second & Dean Cloherty in third.

First vet home was Iain Milligan in seventh overall in a time of 41:55 with Clive Purbrook (V50) and Philip Lintern (V60) the other age group winners. The course record of 33:08 stayed safe for another year due to the ‘soft’ conditions underfoot.

In the ladies race Ursula Ranson finished in an impressive 17th overall to take the ladies trophy with Cara Oliver and Melissa Burrell coming home second and third.

Other winners on the day were Belinda Schoffield in 53:09 as first female vet, and winner of the VF50 category closely followed by Frances Cowling with arguably the performance of the day winning the VF60 category in 53:15.

A big thank you to race sponsors BHIP UK (heartratemonitors.co.uk) and StreetLife Cycles, Norwich, Phil Sayers and his team from Extreme Sports Therapy who were on hand to treat tired and weary limbs after the event, official race photographers from Richer Seas who worked tirelessly attempting to be on all parts of the course at all times capturing the race for everyone’s benefit and to all the enthusiastic marshals who give up their weekends so that Go Beyond can put on great races.

The next chance to race Mud & Mayhem is at Delapre Abbey on 10th November or why not go longer as part of the Northampton Running Festival on 31st March which offers Marathon and Half Marathon options as well as the fast and flat 10K option.

Visit: gobeyondultra.co.uk/events for details on all Go Beyond races

Men's 10km results

Women's 10km results

Men's Duathlon results

Women's Duathlon results

Click here for full results