Delia Carr has written a blog about the Gold Hill 10k race which was on 13th October 2019. Thank you Delia for putting this blog together for us and congratulations on your result at the event. If any other RIOTers want to write a guest blog about a particular running, cycling, swimming or triathlon event just let us know.

Gold Hill 10k Race Report

So,why did I sign up for Goldhill 10k and did I enjoy it?

As some of you know I am trying not to run the same race twice, so this race appealed for that reason and I also wanted to take on the famous Hovis hill! I wanted to do it too as all proceeds went to the north Dorset Scout group and I love supporting local races. This race, however,does often clash with other races so I was representing RIOT on my own on this occasion.

On the morning of the race it was wet and the roads were badly flooded, so I did wonder whether I should go. But with the buzz of my first place at Kingston Maurward Dark 10k the night before I couldn’t quit, plus I thought about those of you doing the Dorchester Dash for the first time and it being your furthest distances.  I drove up to Shaftesbury, following the winding roads.

Race start was 11am so suited me down to the ground!! Much rather that, than get picked up at 5am in the dark for Ironman. Since joining RIOT I haven’t attended many races on my own and it felt strange to be stood in the school hall on my own. Luckily I spotted an Egdon vest and soon got talking to a fellow runner, then I no longer felt like a Billy no mates.

As normal, I hadn’t looked at the course route or elevation profile as I would rather not know what I am letting myself in for. We had the race brief and were warned about flooding on the roads and that we should expect to run through knee deep puddles, I was glad not to have new trainers on and that I had a spare pair sat in the car ready for the journey home.

We then all walked to the start.  The race started and the first part was on the playing field, the course led us into the town and down a hill. I was thinking “oooh this is good”, however,  less than 0.5 miles in I saw the famous Hovis (Gold) hill. I thought “f***, not already”,  however, there were lots of supporters on the hill so I kept running if not a slow pace, and lessons from the RunTeach course came into my head reminding me to keep my head up and I pushed on. The whole 10k was very much go down one hill then up another and it was a tough race there is no denying it. The toughness was added to by the 3 large flooded roads which I had to wade through. Always makes me feel so heavy and it’s not easy when another hill is lurking again straight away.

However, I finished the race and came 4th lady with a lovely medal to add to the collection, first clay one. Will I do it next year? Well it’s now part of the Dorset Road Race League so maybe….. Entries for 2020 open in July. Would recommend it, not for the faint hearted. Make sure you do Rachel’s hill reps or Martyn’s Ridgeway 20 to prepare.  Happy racing folks!

About Gold Hill 10k:

Gold Hill is a 10k race usually held in October, it starts in Shaftesbury and takes in the famous Hovis Hill (from the bread advert). If you want to find out more information then please visit: https://www.goldhill10k.co.uk/about.php. This is a scenic road race, with some challenging hills, do look at the website if you want to see some photos from the event including one of the infamous hill (photos on this blog are not from the event – except the lovely medal).

About Delia Carr: 

Delia Carr has been a member of RIOT for a long time, we first got to know her during the training for Dorchester marathon in 2018 which she entered last minute, having joined on the long training runs. Delia is renowned for her love of post run cake, vast collection of Strava crowns (was it over 50 at the last count?) and skills on the bike. Since we’ve known her she has trained hard and smashed PB after PB at many distances (including an amazing sub 3:45 at North Dorset Marathon in 2019), and achieved her first Ironman 70.3 in September 2019. As talented as Delia is, she is also generous with her support and advice, particularly for those new to triathlon and on the bike. Following her marathon and Ironman 70.3, we look forward to seeing what she achieves in 2020!