Terry the Tornado got everyone ready to spin their wheels again at Sunday’s (14 November) Sodbury Slog. His warm up was followed by mud, water and obstacles as runners dived in (literally!) again at this long-standing favourite.

Organised by Bitton Road Runners, the Sodbury Slog made a triumphant return with its challenging multi-terrain course, cheery marshals and tasty flapjacks at the finish. Sustenance of any sort was needed after 10 miles of muddy, waterlogged surfaces, hills, a pig trough, sheep dip and the ‘Leap of Faith’. 

This is not a course for pristine road shoes; instead, double knotted trail shoes along with a ‘never say die’ attitude in this race held in Chipping Sodbury, South Gloucestershire that appeals to runners of all ages and abilities. 

After the warm up, the race started at 11am beginning with an exhortation, two minutes silence then the Last Post as participants and volunteers remembered those who had fallen in WWI and subsequent conflicts.  

Then away they went from Chipping Sodbury School through this market town and into the countryside, crossing private land and dealing with the aforementioned obstacles along the way. There were smiles and laughter as runners slipped and slid in the mud, were stuck fast or tried to retrieve their shoes.  

Edward Chuck of Dulwich Runners AC was the winner in 1:00:02 with Mark Threlfall of Avon Valley Runners second in 1:00:29. Ben Rawlins of Westbury Harriers took third in 1:01:22. 

Annabel Granger of Bristol and West AC was the women’s winner in 1:11:36. Heather Fell of Team Bath AC was second in 1:12:27 and Kimberley Newcome of Stroud & District AC taking third place by only 1 second in 1:13:27.  

The complete set of results is available at the runABC Race Listings page.

For finishers there was a warm glow of satisfaction at completing the race and supporting the charity partners. 

Image courtesy of Jo Astley.