Waterway 30

John Southwood

Two members of Grantham Running Club completed the Waterway 30 in North Nottinghamshire on Saturday 26^th January. 

The 32 mile circular route takes in the scenic rural countryside using a combination of the two main local waterway towpaths - the ‘Cuckoo Way (Chesterfield Canal) and the Trent Valley Way (River Trent). Ninety percent of the route was off-road with only some minor roads and tracks linking the start and finish in South Wheatley to the towpaths. The towpaths were extremely muddy and rough underfoot which made it a real challenge. The second half of the race was especially tough as it was into a strong headwind on the banks of the River Trent. 

Nick Payne, the club’s most experienced ultra runner, completed the event in 6 hours 4 minutes and 21 seconds. He finished 58^th out of 164 finishers.  For new club member John Southwood the event was a real baptism of fire for it was twice as far as any other event John has taken part in! He finished in a highly respectable 6:24:10, finishing in 87^th place. John enjoyed the event and is now considering other events of a similar distance or even longer!

Both members enjoyed the race, particularly the four well-stocked aid stations which had a wider range of food and drink than a picnic! Finishers received a good quality technical t-shirt and a personalised engraved medal.  

The race was won by Paul Richardson from Garden City Runners in 3:52:14. The first lady home was Melissa Venables from Spa Striders, who finished in 4:28:58.