Grasmere Gallop 10k 12 June 2011 Fiona Halls reports: I did this race 2 years ago (there wasnt one last year as no-one wanted to organise it) but the course was different then and slightly shorter. Luckily for us, the weather was really good on Sunday morning (we didnt get the rain you had here until later on!). There were 244 finishers in the race and it was extremely well organised by the National Trust who are now organising this annual event. I wore my yellow vest of course and got some funny looks from the local running clubs! I heard one lady walk past and say "Saffron Striders, where are they from" to her mate! Made me smile! Anyway, I started off quite near the front which I generally do anyway and was chatting to a few people on the way to the start line which was near the Garden Centre in Grasmere - we were led down the road by a chap playing the bagpipes which was novel! Then the starter went and we were off! I tried to keep steady for the first mile or so and realised there was only one female ahead of me, and she was superfast! Then my aim was to stay 2nd female which I somehow managed to do! The course went out the back of Grasmere and climbed quite steeply across Rydal water with some amazing views! Though most of the time you had to watch where you were stepping as it was v rocky and uneven most of the time. A chap took a nasty tumble in front of me but soon got up and I asked him if he was ok and he insisted he was! Neil said by the time he came along, he could see evidence of where quite a few people had fallen over! We ran along the shoreline too which was great and anyone who was out for a gentle Sunday morning stroll stopped to give way to us mad runners and cheered us on! The course also went through some woods before coming out into Grasmere Village and finishing on the field. I spoke to quite a few people at the end and it seemed I wasnt the only one who wasnt local! The winning female was from Dumfries! Neil came in at under an hour and really enjoyed it too! We waited around for the prize giving and I was given a huge engraved plate for coming 2nd lady so was v happy with that! Im already planning my hols next year so I can particpate in that race again!