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Coastal Trail Series Final

'View from the Back' - CTS Flete Estate - 7th May 2011

So, the final event of the Coastal Trail Series was here. A long time since the first event on the Isle of Wight in September, but the weather had been pretty kind throughout and dawn at the Flete Estate indicated another good day's running could be ahead. The campsite and EL festival village was just waking up as I arrived at 7.30, so I had a coffee and enjoyed the beautiful views overlooking the Erme Estuary.

The run itself was starting a bit later than usual - 'because of the tides' the race instructions had said, so I figured that at some point today I'd be getting wet. I enjoyed a nice steady build-up to the event over the next couple of hours - the chance to chat to a few of the festival exhibitors, seeing some old faces from previous races arriving, the usual undertone of nerves but also excitement building in different ways for each runner, coupled with the occasional piece of 'gallows humour' regarding the distances to be travelled that day and the 'uppy/downy' course profile set out on the course map.

Before long we were off, checking out with our 'dibbers' at the exit gate to follow a gentle track downhill straight to the beach of the Erme Estuary, from where we headed west along the South West Coastal Path for several miles. It was fairly steady going, nice and dry, past several pretty coves and along narrow paths that then opened up into grassy cliff-edge fields, before I was confronted with our first steep climb of the day up the aptly named 'Beacon Hill' , before turning right at the top. This next section took us inland in a north easterly direction, first through country lanes and then along a flat(ish) shaded bridleway - still early enough in the run for me to appreciate the bluebells and birdsong! - until I reached the first checkpoint at just under 5 miles.

The overall course was a very rough figure of eight, with this first loop being west of the river Erme. This next section of the run now first took me back to, and then up the estuary and towards the 11 mile checkpoint, eventually finding the river close by on my right and enabling me to set a quick, steady pace. I was pleased with progress as, just after the 2 hour mark had passed, the second checkpoint at 12 miles came into sight near the impressive Flete House. I was still feeling strong so, after a quick slurp of water and a word with the guys at the checkpoint, it was off through a field of inquisitive cows towards the gate on the other side, neatly marked by a race official's jacket.
Back into the woods, up a couple of inclines and then back to a steady pace as I started south back downriver along the Erme, as I ran along its easterly bank. Half-an-hour and I was almost back to where we'd started the run on the other bank side earlier that day, when the start of the second loop of the course announced itself by a sharp left turn - straight off the track and up a steep easterly incline through some woodland, but conveniently shielding me from a sudden rain shower that had been threatening for a little while.

Towards the top of the hill I met another runner who'd clearly twisted his ankle and was having to retire from the race, now hobbling back down the hill.  I gave my commiserations as I passed, then came out of the wood and into a series of fields and wooded copses as the route took us through Kingston.

Still plodding along as the 15 mile water stop came and went, I caught up with Andy Miles, another runner I'd got to know from the very first event in September and at each event ever since, but who was now hobbling a bit with a knee injury. He and his buddy Pete were still making steady progress, so we now all jogged along together heading towards Bigbury.

 It was getting warmer now as time moved into the afternoon, and so on one bend of a long steep hill we were met with the very welcome sight of two little girls and their dad handing out 'drinks for the runners' outside their cottage. Their efforts and encouragement were a welcome boost as we carried on up a long, steep and endless concrete track, which finally ended within Bigbury golf course at the summit. But slowing to a fast walk to 'gather ourselves' by the 8th hole, one elderly lady golfer then asked me: "What charity are you walking for?"   Cheek!

This supportive comment was enough to get us moving again and we could now see the sea as we descended though several fields towards the Avon estuary, then heading out south along the beach. I was starting to feel pretty tired now so all of us being clapped in by the EL checkpoint staff was a nice touch as we arrived at the 21 mile water-stop by Burgh Island car park, with my watch showing 4.49 hours gone. That had been a long last section - but never underestimate the inland South Devon hills!! Quite a few runners were at the checkpoint, refuelling with water and biscuits and exchanging some gentle banter, and I took the time to refill my water bladder since the sun was still pretty warm and I also knew the next section had some shocking hills!

The three of us worked our way up and down the coastline for the next few miles, the odd swearword describing the steepness of the ascents and also, for Andy's knee, the pain caused from steep descents. I knew from holidays to the area that to get back to the Erme there would be four big hills to deal with - one in particular being horribly steep, and this came into sight quite quickly when, from some distance away, we could see runners ahead - like little ants - following the snaking coastal path up its side.

Finally the fourth hill was conquered and we now had some long, grassy and gentle descents until we turned into the mouth of the Erme estuary, with the EL base now clearly visible some two miles away across the river. I found myself at the front of our group on the estuary path so I tried to set a good steady pace as we worked our way up towards the crossing point to the other bank. With the tide out this was a simple wade through the river, but still truly refreshing on the feet; once at the other side a few more woodland paths and tracks to cover for good measure, and then there we were - the finish line in sight after 27.4 miles.

That last mile and the finish is always a great feeling - knowing I've achieved my own personal challenge of completing the course - but also each time enjoying and appreciating the fellow camaraderie of all the other runners (both whippets and plodders) and the EL team along the way, so thanks to you all.

And with this Coastal Trail Series now finished, it's good to sit back now and reflect on a series of 8 very different marathons over the last 8 months. South Devon in February was probably my hardest course, especially the very hilly inland section, and that particular afternoon when it surprisingly became very hot and I really found myself having to dig deep at one point to keep going. Having done that run before I knew what to expect but all the same, it was a tough one. My daftest moment is definitely at Gower, when along Rhossilli Beach I picked up a quarter-full (of water) oil drum and carried it as I ran, thinking there would be a litter bin at the end of the beach (I was sure at the briefing EL said there'd be one there!). Five miles and many sand-dunes and paths later, I finally find a bin to put it alongside! Then at Anglesey, coming across the Holyhead Mountain at 26 miles was an unexpected (and, at the time, mildly irritating!) climb, but a great view and run down to the finish afterwards.

So, many highs and only a few (temporary) lows, but over the last 8 months I've had a lot of laughs, met a few new running friends and, when driving home afterwards on those Saturday evenings, always enjoyed that real sense of personal satisfaction and fulfilment after another great day out! - to which Very Loud Music from AC/DC can only enhance!

Dave Roberts
15 May '11

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