John O’Keeffe
There were three Tring running vests at the start of the Ridge Off Roader half marathon at 9:30 on Sunday morning in the glorious sunshine with about 60 other runners.
We set off downhill from Bledlow School on trails from the start and saw very little road on the whole route. This half marathon is a great mix of typical Chiltern trails through woods, fields, steep chalky hill climbs and descents with a fast 4km section of the Ridgeway in the middle. With so little road, the route was very quiet and peaceful with great views and a good mix of woodland and open running to mix the hot sunshine with the cool shade of the trees.
The half marathon route makes a circular clockwise loop from Bledlow while the 10K route which starts at 10:30 makes an anti-clockwise loop, so both routes connect for the final 4K back through the remote open valley and up a testing, grassy, steep last ascent to finish with a sprint back through Bledlow to the school.
Any tired legs are given a boost by the energy of the 10K runners now on the route with you, one of whom was another Tringer, Hannah who came through the finish smiling. I ran the 10K route last year and can confirm that this route is equally good!
Back at the school there was tea, cake, a BBQ and even a free massage which we took full advantage of, all in support of the school who organise the event.
Highly recommend this local village race just 30 mins from Tring.
