MWRRL Mob Match, Trent Park - Mud, sweat & cheers

I had wondered for a while why the final race in the Midweek Road Race League was called a Mob match. It turns out it’s got nothing to do with the Mafia – although the final uphill stretch did make me an offer I nearly couldn’t refuse.

As we arrived surveyed the plush facilities at the Southgate Hockey Club in Trent Park in the middle of a torrential downpour, I had two thoughts:

1. There’s going to be an excellent post-match spread. (It’s true. There was.)

2. Can I hide here on the balcony and watch the hockey practice, instead of doing any running?

But I’d been spotted by too many people to go with the race-dodging plan, so off to the start line we trotted.

Shocked by the wet mud lurking below the grass, I set off like a startled gazelle, running way too quickly (for me) – sub 7 minute mile pace. I hadn’t even realised I could run that fast, which is one positive I suppose.

The remaining lessons were brutally handed to me over the next 4.5 miles. As I slowed to a more sensible pace, I was overtaken by a succession of Striders more experienced at steady racing, including Clare, Mandy, Richard D, Howard, Gladstone and Peter. While it’s always a little draining to be overtaken, every one of them had a word or two of encouragement. The Striders are a great team to run with.

We ran two laps round Trent Park, on quite a mixture of terrains. It’s probably beautiful when it hasn’t been raining so much. In places the paths were exceptionally muddy.

And while I couldn’t really relish the downhill parts for fear of losing my footing, the uphill stretch, especially on the second lap, was the closest I’ve come to listening to that niggling voice whispering, ‘Shall we just walk for a bit?’ The only thing that kept me running was the knowledge that it would mean I’d get to the end sooner.

As I neared the final stretch, as in previous races, there was a tremendous posse of already-finished cheering Striders. Someone shouted ‘Put this in your blog, Richard!’ but I was too tired to see who it was, let alone think of a witty response, so gritted my teeth and pushed myself back through the wet grass.

9k? It felt more like 10 and a half. After a minute or so making sure I hadn’t fainted, I was ready to cheer on those finishing just after me. Special mention to Jack, Katie, Sheryl and Kate, who all crossed the line with impressive sprints and smiling faces.

Back in the hockey club, the award ceremony was astonishing. The numerous prizes won by the club, both team and individual, will be recorded elsewhere, but as I stood at the back of the room cheering and clapping each trophy, I was struck by the smiles and pride of every Strider I could see. It really was shared effort and shared joy.

I run with Striders because it’s a really good bunch of people. It just so happens that a lot of them can run impressively quickly too, but it’s the friendliness and team spirit that matters most.


Richard Sved