Lots of you will be training towards a Spring marathon (Duchy, Taunton, Stratford, London…) or perhaps the Grizzly (George, Chris..).
Whilst you’ll be thinking along the lines of getting those long runs in, here’s what’s on offer on the racing scene for the first quarter of 2008.

The first Sunday (6th) of the New Year has the Plympton 10K.  A great little race.  Out through Saltram Park and back.  Mostly flat with just a couple of small undulations in the park.  It’s based on an Industrial Park so no showers, changing etc.  A couple of Portaloos for the shy!!

Sunday 13th has a double bill with Oh My Obelisk and the Westward League Cross Country at Bideford.  Helen Thomas did the Obelisk run last year and can give you a taster of what to expect.  Basically, off road up the Obelisk for the first half and back down for the second.  Not clashing with Blaythorne this year so here’s your chance.
The Cross Country ‘Hardcore’ will be heading to Bideford for Race 4 in this year’s Westward League.  (Cue Rallying call – “We need teams, Guys, so do your best to come along!)

The Blaythorne 10 is the following Sunday and ‘all hands to the pump’ again to give our Cornish running brethren a quality event as they in turn give us at their races.

The final Sunday of January (27th) will see the regular travelling Carnies doing their annual trip to the Braunton 10 in North Devon.  A great race this one.  Starting and finishing on the North Devon track, it contains two ‘choice’ hills in the opening 6 miles.  All flat and downhill after that.  Fantastic scenery.

A couple of notes for February.  The Mounts Bay 10K and the Plymouth Hoe 10 are filling fast.  If you want to run then you must enter asap.  They are always a sell out!

The opening Sunday of March is the Bideford Half Marathon.  A PB course!!  If you doubt me, like a few last year, I’ll gladly take your money off of you if you fancy a wager!!!
The entry limit has now risen to 1000!!  Blimey, when I did the first one back in ’95 there were probably only just over 100 of us! (Even Neil Tweedie was running back then!)
We had loads up there last year and reckon we’ll take even more this year.  Good one to see how you are shaping up for your marathon.

Happy Running!