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Steyning Stinger Race Report

by Helen Kellar

I’ve lived most of my adult life in and around Sussex and the south coast. I’ve always cycled and over the years have made many a memory riding my bike up and down hills, falling off, wild camping, and generally bike-snacking my way around the South Downs National Park… with my new found love of running, it was only right I entered a race in my old stomping ground.

The Steyning Stinger sets off from the picturesque village of Steyning in the heart of the South Downs. It climbs up to Chanctonbury and Cissbury Rings, with views out to the south coast on one side, and the Weald on the other. It has a reputation as a right old beast!. Last year they added a 30km option to the half and marathon distance offering, and so I decided to sign up.

The South Downs is chalky farmland, I know from my years of riding that over the winter and after periods of rain it becomes a slippery bog fest. I’m still getting to grips with the variety of trainer types available for running, should I wear trail or mud shoes, to lug or not to lug.. that was the question..We planned to tie the race in to a weekend visiting chums in Brighton and so were delighted to see the forecast was looking promising for a sunny weekend by the sea. Trail shoes it is..

The race HQ is in a local school, we were ushered in by a familiar looking chap, ‘hang on a minute’, I said, ‘did you used to teach at Millais Girls’ school about 35years ago?!’… his eyes lit up. It was Mr Beaumont my old geography teacher, we shared a few fond words and a quick selfie, it felt like a good start to the day.

The event is super well organised, an efficient sign-on area with an army of volunteers, bag drop, pre-race teas and coffees, showers and plenty of loos. It’s a rolling start with the three different distances, I like this as there is no jossling to get to the front and it created a friendly vibe – you don’t really know who you are racing.

I set off with a mate, but soon we went at our own pace as I scampered over deep slippery mud on the foot hills…maybe I shoulda lugged!! The first climb of the day felt tough, the short sharp park run I’d done the day before had left my calves a little tight…uh oh! I gobbled a piece of turkish delight and hoped for the best. I’m starting to learn that these aches and pains can soon disappear if i shift my focus away from them… mmmm another couple of chunks of yummy turkish delight, that’ll do it!

The 30km route has 4 big climbs and descents, mixed trail conditions from deep mud to loose gravel, chalk and rolling grassy hills. The wind on the south coast can be quite strong, and today was no exception. There were some sections which felt like a push along the exposed downland, but the variety of terrain, sunshine and friendly folk to chat to along the way made it fly by. I plodded up the penultimate hill and turned to the chap next to me, ‘lovely day for it!’, another face I know.. Someone I had worked with 20 years ago! Another selfie and some shared memories as we plodded on together. So nice! My old colleage was on the marathon route so we agreed to meet at the end and went our sepatae ways.

More stunning views, sunshine, and a chug up and over the last hill, the final descent was steep and muddy, I employed the windmill move and just about managed to stay on two legs as I flew down and along to the finish line.

I had hoped to get in under 3 hours and just about managed it. We were rewarded by cooked breakfast, endless tea and coffee and a little wooden medal at the end. Good vibes, excellent route and the cracking weather.. It’s a long way to go for an event, but I would highly recommend it!

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