Worthing Striders Highdown Hike race report.

With the amazing Rainbow as  our backdrop to the race race,  we all thought we were going to get wet as we set off for Worthing on last Wednesday. The striders had moved their race headquarters from the Tennis club to the field at the start of the race, the bottom of Highdown Hill next to the A259. It was definitely trying to rain when I arrived at the field quite early and managed to find a parking space in the small car park. I stayed in the car and watched the Striders setting up the run. The rain eased off and runners started to arrive, Nigel was the first Flyer of eight keen runners for the flyers. 352 runners lined up for the start at 7:30 and were warned about the slippery conditions. By the time all the runners had run one and a half times around the seven acre field at the start they were well spread out. Liam was in the lead, having lapped half the field, and they all set off through a small gap in the hedge up Highdown. About three quarters of the way up take a sharp left, follow the path, turn right up a bit more. The path then takes you all the way around the far side of the old hill fort to the top of the hill. (Pause to take in the view). Take a sharp right turn, across the hill top and a left turn to start the descent. Turn left after quite a steep drop follow the path, across to another slippery sharp right turn through some trees and down a steep rough path and a short bit of road through the hedge back into the field. Then all you have to do is run up and around the field “again” and into the finish. Liam was the first Flyer, over all second place, just a few Metres behind Mike a Chichester runner in 23:49 mins. Paul was next 27:36 mins, followed by our first lady, Rosie in just over 31 mins. Linda was the second lady Flyer in just over 36 mins. Stephen was the third male Flyer 45:35 mins. Followed by Nigel 48:37 mins and Gerald 52:43mins. Jane was our third lady Flyer 1 hour and a bit, which was a great run, given that terrain.  A fantastic effort by all our Flyers. I’m sure I will see many of them again at Tilgate Forest on the 3rd of September. John N.