The Wychwood Dash

Saturday 26th January 2013

57km, 80% off road, 07:52:00

The unofficial first Wychwood Way Dash. 57km circular route starting and finishing in Stonefield, Oxfordshire. 8am in the morning, the sun struggling to wake up, snow on the ground. Five hearty souls stand on Peaks Lane ready to tackle the Wychwood Way. 7 hours and 52 minutes later three returned, tired and sore but in high spirits after an amazing day running in the back yard.

The underfoot conditions couldn't have been much worse after a cold and snowy couple of weeks, as the hours ticked by we moved from deep snow & sheet ice to icy puddles & impromptu streams and finally mud. The overhead conditions more than made up for the challenging footing, bright blue skies and no wind brought the countryside to life, our crunch footsteps and slow thaw the only sounds.

Richard B turned and headed back to the twins after about 6-7km, leaving four. Four remained as we ploughed through the snow up to Old Chalford and then along the ice to Chadlington. Dean to Ascott-under-Wychwood was like an ice field as the flood plain had been frozen. The four of us reached Leafield in 4h05m - 4h25m. Suprisngly we were greeted by a dozen supporters including very excited kids. Jake and Pete decided 30km was enough for them and hung up the shoes at this point. Jess joined Richard and I as the three of us started the last 27km.

Snow has turned mostly to ice and running water by the afternoon and we pushed on with the 4pm target in mind. Along the old Roman Road and through the muddy fields the pace gradually slowed. The gentle climb from the Evenlode up to Combe felt brutal after 6h30mins. Into Blenheim and firm footing allowed us to maintain our pace, which was pedestrian by this stage. The final few miles through familiar fields felt as foreign as ever, with the climb up to Stonesfield a final dig in the ribs. led by Richard we made it home in 7h 52mins, a new course record, in the absence of an existing one! Straight into the ice bath and warm shower.

Great feeling to run 57km. But even better running it from your front door and taking in the best of the countryside in our region. The variety of the sites was amazing to; from rolling fields to palace grounds to ancient woods and flood plains. Looking forward to next year already.