Race Review | Ashdown Trail Summer Series 5 & 10 Mile
Last Sunday (20th July) marked the second year of the Ashdown Trail Series 5 and 10 Mile - a local event on the south-western edge of the stunning Ashdown Forest.
Having been away racing in Wales for the inaugural race last year, and hearing Tales of the Trail from a strong turnout from The Plod Squad, I was gassed to see this year’s race landing perfectly in the diary to have a crack at it myself.
Mainly to see if my Team were bullsh*tting about just how brutal it was…
The Pre’s
With a car full of Athletes, we set off on the short 25 minute journey from Tunbridge Wells, to the scene of the crime: Pippingford Park.
A private estate located a stone’s throw away from the village of Nutley, Pippingford embodies the essence of Ashdown as a whole: rolling heathland dotted with small, dense areas of forest.
As we drove through the quaint, white gates (in stark contrast to its frequent usage by the MOD…), we were greeted with a view equal parts murky, mysterious and magnificent.
One of those landscapes that looks just as impressive in shonky weather as it does in the sun!
We approached the event village, which was already purring with anticipation as people lined up to register in one of the troop’s huts by the start line.
Before too long, the Team had assembled - 8 repping TGPT and Plod Squad, ready to get down and dirty with what looked like an absolute belter of a course…
Kick Off
A short race brief from co-director Dave, and we were off - just over 200 across the two different distances, bombing it down the first steep descent.
All thinking exactly the same thing: “whatever goes up…”
As a lumpy, mixed-terrain loop, I felt well and truly in my element approaching the first climb of the day onto the other side of the valley - a saucy first taste of what was to come.
Despite the ground getting a shafting from the rain on Saturday, conditions underfoot couldn’t have been better - with the only section on grass/dirt after the first climb being slightly soft but not too slippery. Perfect for pumping up some gas as the hill levels out!
The route was super simple to navigate - most of which followed the well-maintained gravel track that circumnavigates the park.
Atop the savage climbs throughout the entire course were the just rewards of stunning views, making the regular (albeit brief) trips into the Hurt Locker entirely worth it.
A nice, gentle descent past the first of two water stations at ~2.5mi gave way to the second big climb - a gift that kept on giving where (having obviously gone out too quickly…) I started to pull back on pace in the knowledge that I would coming back for round 2 imminently.
Winding its way up to the second water station just after the 4 mile mark, respite finally came in the form of a plateau - and with that a view of the event village.
A sickening dangle of the carrot before descending for the final time, only to hit one last climb to the finish line…
This is where the route splits - with 5 milers heading back up the last hill, and the 10’s heading back down for round 2. With 750ft in the legs after the first lap, it’s fair to say things got very fruity very quickly.
On the first descent of the second loop, a misjudged step meant a bit of spice on an ankle roll - so I scaled back on the downhills to make sure I don’t do any damage before racing in the Beacons next week.
Even so, the climbs were even more savage the second time round - made harder by the fact you knew exactly what was to come from the first lap. The final slog back up to the finish was an apt finish; leaving some serious sauce in both the lungs and quads.
The big bonus being the sound of cheers coming from the long-finished 5-milers spurring everyone on up towards the finish - a Tour de France-esque conclusion to a beautifully brutal race.
A little disappointed not to creep under 70 minutes, but still came home with 5th place which I was pleased with!
The Afters
It took a few minutes to gather myself after crossing the line in a panting mess - but before too long, I had come back around and joined the Team for a debrief as we cheered on the steady stream of runners finishing the 10 miler, including 3 of our own.
The atmosphere at the finish line summed up the event on the whole perfectly: friendly, supportive and an air of shared achievement that made for a perfect Sunday morning away day!
The Final Word
My first experience of the ATS didn’t disappoint.
The route was undeniably brutal, but equally the most stunning race I’ve run locally.
It is a cracking introduction for anyone looking to delve into the world of trail running, as it is a course you will never get any pace PB’s on - but one where the sense of achievement upon submitting that final climb no road race will ever come close.
Caveat that with the fact I’m a little biased - take it from all of my Team, all of whom agreed on it’s beauty and enjoyment (even if there were a few moans).
For anyone looking to try trail running, get a taste for the kind of routes/terrains/elevation you see a lot in Ultrarunning events, or simply those seeking a unique challenge, the ATS is an absolute must.
With the inaugural Winter Edition to the race looming, the question remains - will I be seeing YOU on January’s start line in Pippingford…?
Huge thanks to Ollie and Dave for putting the event on - undoubtedly my favourite local race to date. Legends.
Link for next year’s sign up below:
https://www.nice-work.org.uk/e/ashdown-forest-10-and-5-mile-series-race-two-10707?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLsxKxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp_zAgw-WK1PWrDWhe0y-hyGExhl06lU2fZAUz3aiqmxlxR7HXdgOZEAG3rkp_aem_3cOCUKE5p-E1ZqjpDm_yzA
