June 2nd 2021 – Cleve Cloud Cuckoo 5 Mile
Just the other side of the Malverns is Cleve Hill. Here’s a report from the annual 5 miler…
Four Ledbury Harriers ventured out on Wednesday 2nd June to run the Cleeve Cloud Cuckoo race. The race covers 5.5 miles of trails over the Cleeve Hill golf course. A golf course, it must have been flat. WRONG. There were plenty of hills: 792 ft of them. Some of the climbs were like hitting a brick wall. My ‘favourite’ I would describe as giant steps. Vertical for 2 metres, then flat for 2 metres. Vertical for 2 metres, then flat for 2 metres. Vertical for 2 metres, then flat for 2 metres. You get the picture. I can’t believe they play golf there, but they were there with their balls and clubs.
I’ve made it sound like torture but I must say, it was a fantastic run. The scenery was gorgeous, running with baby lambs bleating you on and the weather was beautiful. I will certainly aim to do it next year.
First Harrier home was Kate Elkington in a time of 49:38. Followed by Rachel Bannister, 60:19. Sally Rooke beat me by 1 second in a time of 76:31. The first male runner returned in a time of 34:27 and female runner 40:04.