Insane Bolt

On a long , Sunday, social run we had a few weeks ago, Ian ‘Yoda’ Booth mentioned a race that he was going to help with called the Buckland Bolt. It sounded unique and one I’d like to run especially as, similar to the Piddle Wood Plod, they were hoping to raise lots of money for the local primary school rather than funding James Cracknell’s bid for University rowing supremacy.

Road trip: Super Sue Sue Nicholls was our driving hostess with the mostest, everybody’s favourite school teacher Mrs. Thomas, Gobby The Pompomadour and myself. The conversation included trail or road shoes and end of school year gifts for teachers. Tracey prefers homemade gifts and wine, hopefully not homemade wine. I now know teachers are human! It must be tough after a year with kids nowadays with all their dyspraxia. I joke because development disorders can be an excuse for kids who are plain naughty but after talking to a work colleague who has recently left school mental health issues are too real. Something I’ve covered and unfortunately will again.

Again within 5 minutes off the M5 we are in the middle of nowhere and driving along the narrowest of roads. Conveniently with every car approaching us there was a place to pass. And again it’s like going back in time and if we didn’t know there was a race on, we wouldn’t know the villages existed. Once at Buckland St. Mary we caught up with Christy Longley, and her daughter, Jess, Kev Clements, Yoda Booth and Georgina Hainsby and her friend and non Harrier Jo. Once at the school I needed a comfort break and going back into a primary school after 45 years was an education, geddit, but everything was so small and low down and familiar with the, smells, coat pegs and pictures on the wall. The running festival started with a children’s race and the obligatory crying child with a parent hurrying he/she along.

The 10km started with a circuit of the cricket field and then out onto the road and past The Pompomadour who was cheering loudly. We were soon up and down hills, across fields and through copses. The only thing the race didn’t have was a river crossing and I loved every, hot, weary step. Unfortunately the race attracts a small field which is so sad as it tries to benefit the school but also there can be large gaps between runners. At about 3.25 miles I had a Yeovil athlete and Tracey in front of me and nobody behind for as far as I could see. During the off road sections I was glad I opted for trail shoes. The trails weren’t muddy after the recent rain but were very rugged and uneven and with the twisty turns traction was very important. When I had the energy to lift my head, the scenes were incredible.

In the last mile and a half I over took a male runner who congratulated me on my effort and realising I was with the real Team Yellow said “At least you have a cheerleader at the finish”. I never felt more proud of Gobby the Pompomadour (Sue Baker, available for children’s parties. Reasonable rates). We passed the entrance back into the cricket ground and turned right up a reverse helter skelter type stately home drive into the heavens and then swooping down to another circuit of the cricket field and to the finish.

Again, Harriers achieved. Jess Longley was 3rd lady overall in the 5km and Super Sue Nicholls won her age category in the 10km. A truly lovely morning with everybody enjoying their run. The drinks stations were well placed and the marshals exceptional and full of encouragement. The only downside was the beefburger I had was disgusting.