Sunday 16th March

Taking on the brutal Moyleman on a wonderful spring March morning saw five hardy Harriers take part; Linford Crusty (Rob Chrystie)🍪, Abi Morris 🌹, Jayne Morris 🦸🏻‍♀️ Neil Squires 🏃🏽 and Julie Deakin 💓

Like previous years this event sold out within minutes of going on sale.  Described as one of the UK’s most beautiful and friendliest races, the route traverses the stunning hills surrounding Lewes.  At the halfway point, those runners taking on the relay marathon changeover just before the beastly climb at Southease.

Linford 🍪(Rob Chrystie) took on the individual marathon whilst mum and daughter duo, Abi 🌹and Jayne Morris 🦸🏻‍♀️along with Neil Squires 🏃🏽who joined fellow boot camp friend, Tom Edwards, and Julie Deakin teamed up with friend Emma Gardner for the relay option.

Rob 🍪 had this to say;

The Moyleman 🏔️

Where to start? There’s a lot to unpack here.

Anyone who knows me understands that me and marathons don’t get on! However, I have been wanting to run The Moyleman for years. This year, I was lucky enough to get a place through their ballot. I’ve been very excited about it.

My plan A was my only plan, and it was simple: Just run, run the whole way!

I know the route really well and love the scenery, so I thought let’s forget about times or placings, just run the whole route and enjoy it. It might actually be the first marathon I enjoy.

I started at a comfortable pace and let loads of runners disappear ahead of me. Then found I was so much quicker up the hills than the runners around me and up ahead. It was the downhills that I lost ground on others.

I got to half way in about 1:42 and then I heard the marshals shouting ‘top 10!’. I later discovered I’d worked my way up to 7th…and it felt easy to be honest. I should have known better!!!

Still running I got to Firle Beacon, took on a dodgy gel (it honestly tasted rank and was stuck in my tooth), then going down Bo Peep Lane my legs stopped working. My hip flexors started screaming at me, I started making funny, involuntary, pained noises and struggled to put one foot in front the other.

I found the coach track so hard but kept running. Then by Littledene, the elastic broke! I was shuffling along, feeling sick, with sore hips and a blister on my right instep. My ‘race’ was done. I walked. I was so disappointed at the time but I had no other option.

It was a long walk to the finish from there but I got it done and enjoyed a pizza and beer.

Looking back, I’m not too disappointed now but I think I have discovered my limits. Gnarly weather and hills suit me fine, but spending more than 3 hours on my feet is a struggle.

Great event though and I would definitely consider marshalling next year (or go for the relay option).

My blue Catamounts are now to be retired!!!

EDIT: Official time 4:15.08, 38th/194.

Abi 🌺 and Jayne 🦸🏻‍♀️ stormed home in 4:39:41 beating the boys; Neil 🏃🏽 and Tom, who were hot on their heels in 4:49:11 with Julie 🏃🏻‍♀️ & Emma 5:01:28

🎤 You guys are all pretty damn awesome 💪🏼 those are sensational performances and we hope you all enjoyed those well deserved beers and pizza 🍕in the sunshine ☀️