Harvest Trail 10m (Royston) 18 September 2011 Andrew Mynott reports: It was a beautiful autumn day as 114 happy runners lined up for the Harvest Trail on the heath on the outskirts of Royston (77 - including me - for the 10 mile course, 37 for the 6 mile course). The smiles were soon removed from our faces as we approached the first of a seemingly never-ending series of hills. This is one of those courses which definitely feel like they're more up than down and is easily the most difficult race I've done, with two particularly steep and long hills. It is a very scenic and interesting route though. On the negative side, it's one of those races which call themselves a trail race but aren't really. You get some instructions, but they're not very clear (and in fact I stopped consulting them after about 4 miles as they were confusing me). There are some marshalls, but not really enough. And some direction arrows, but again not enough. Also, because everyone starts at the same time you're at a distinct disadvantage if you're in the lead, as you have to stop to work out the route but everyone else can follow you. On Sunday it was made particularly confusing as there was an orienteering competition happening at the same time, so people kept appearing out of bushes with maps, looking lost which started to make me wonder whether I was as lost as they were, or had perhaps strayed into the orienteering competition by mistake. You are told once you've entered that the run has been designed to be as uncompetitive as possible so no-one feels under any pressure. I think that's a load of crap, and gives them an excuse for not marshalling it properly, providing adequate instructions or awarding any prizes. Really I think they should make the uncompetitive nature of the run clear on the entry form. With my competitive streak, needless to say I won't be doing this one again. But if you're not competitive and would enjoy a hilly but scenic route it may be one for you.