Doynton Race Feedback

Dear DHHM team, 

I have never emailed the organisers of a race before.

This was my first time of ‘running’ the Doynton Hard Half Marathon, which I heard about when I was at the Forest of Dean Autumn Half in 2017. A lovely girl bounced over and gave me a DHHM flyer and when I pointed out that it said 'Hard' in the title, she was so bright and breezy about it, I was tempted to sign up there and then. I didn’t get around to doing last year but it's been niggling at the back of my head to try it. I’m 56 years old and not the greatest runner in the world, but I do quite a few events, especially rural ones in nice areas which have a light-hearted feel about them.

So, on Sunday, I drove the 62 ish miles to Doynton and got there in good time as you asked. I got the minibus just as your instructions said I should. I got to race start and felt pretty nervous and was surrounded by some hard-core looking runners. It was great to listen to the commentary, the choir were fab and the warm up was really good fun and I soon felt a bit less anxious.

The first 3 miles took me over an hour and by 6 miles, I was really wondering whether I would be able to complete the race. So many things made me determined to finish (mostly my own pig-headedness of course) but there were so many special things that you'd thought of.

The marshals were all so lovely and encouraging and it was so nice to have their names on display, it felt more personal to thank them by name. Then there were the marshals in fancy dress which put a smile on my face, and the couple who were playing Wurzels songs at a random point on the course - fabulous ❤. The Samba band was awesome!

The aid stations (or pubs!) were well stocked and, again, everyone was so jolly and encouraging. 

The second loop nearly floored me mentally as it was so unexpectedly flat compared to first part, and not nearly as much wet mud. The third loop soon mixed things up again and I can't lie, I was so relieved to get to the finish, I cried inside!!!!

A kind person came over and handed me my goody bag.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a cup of tea (my fault!) as I didn't have the inclination to take off my muddy shoes. So I picked up my bag from the tent and caught the bus back to my car, where it took a while to peel off my leggings and socks and put my jeans on. 

While driving home I felt so pleased that I’d actually done DHHM and thought of all the lovely (and not so lovely) bits of it. Then I got home and looked in my goody bag and realised the fun wasn't all over. The t-shirt, all the food and the mud pack and shower gel really were the icing on the cake - you really had thought of everything!!! My fortune cookie didn't reveal a free entry to 2020 race and to my surprise I found that I was really disappointed. 

Thank you so much for everything I’ve mentioned as well as the great communication of instructions and information by email and Facebook before and after the race. I really hope there is a 2020 edition of DHHM cos I'd really like to be there.

Please please pass on my thanks to EVERYONE involved. 

Kindest regards,

Sandra