Hooky 6 race report

By Graham Lougher

Cost of race: £12

Length of race: 6 miles

Distance from Abingdon: 29miles/45 minutes

As part of training for a triathlon, I decided to cycle to this race; while heading up the hills to Hook Norton, I questioned my decision.

Race HQ like a lot of the local races, is a sports and social club overlooking a cricket pitch. I was pleased to find they were serving tea and cakes, so a cup of tea was the start of my warm up.

Said hello to the other Abingdon runners; we were a bit outnumbered though. My Club Champs nemesis Steve Badcock was absent, though, handy as he would definitely of had the beating of me after the cycle.

Race was undulating as advertised, with what felt like very little time on the flat. This made for some interesting individual battles with a few runners, catching them up hills and seeing them disappear on the downhills. The two lap course meant I could gauge how far the finish was when I started to flag on the second lap.

A different goody bag to finish with no medal but a pair of bright yellow sunglasses and a t-shirt.

Had a debrief with the other Abingdon runners after who all agreed it was indeed hilly, just time for another tea and a slice of cake before setting off home. Thankfully in the car rather than cycling home too.

Next up Alchester 5km on Wednesday.