Run 47, 2009 5Peaks Trail Race Devon

Here we go! 14.3 kilometers of hill climbing in boiling, sweltering, muggy conditions. This year’s Devon race course is new and totally awesome. It begins innocently enough, on the flat. But only for a half kilometer or so. After that it’s up hill for I don’t know, 3 kilometers? These aren’t nice hills. They are blood sucking evil vampire demon hills from hell. The sports class only had to suffer those hills once. We suckers in the Enduro class had to suffer them twice since we had to do two laps. But once you were past the hills the rest was a long downhill lark and very enjoyable. Elevation changes totaled 450 meters and you can get the race details here. You can view the map and elevation profile here.

I had the option of starting 40 minutes sooner than the elite Enduro runners, who started at 10 AM, so I chose to start at 9:20 AM because I knew I would need the extra time. I managed the first lap in about 56 minutes, and the second in about 1:14 or so for a total time of 2:09:16 which gives a 9 minute pace on average. Pretty slow for a flat road race, but for me it was really a tough course. I am quite happy that I did as well as I did though!

5Peaks did an awesome job with the course extremely well marked and I took advantage of all the water stops, where I drank Refresh and also water. On the second lap, after going through those uphill climbs for the second time, I began to feel pretty overheated and so I poured a few cups of cold water over my back and front at one of the water stops. My eyes were stinging from the salty sweat because I think I scratched one of my eyelids.

All in all I am very happy about it and had no problems at all. Now I’m looking forward to the next 5Peaks installment in Chickakoo in a months time.