After the continuous freezing temperatures and snow my first thought was checking the Ripon Runners website to see if the race was cancelled. No such luck - just a disclaimer saying it was icy, slippery and if you didn't want to run, then walk !

The cricket club car park was only 3 inches deep in snow - which made for wet feet before setting off on the 10 minute walk to the start. Pure packed ice made that an adventure in itself, especially with the steep path to the field where the race began. This field was snow covered with a nice icy surface, apart from the areas where people had walked in the preceeding week and turned it into solid ice !

The organisers gave a pep talk before the run - just go out and enjoy yourself after all you could fall over and break a leg walking in Ripon town centre ! Highly motivational

The course was simple - snow, deep snow, ice, packed ice, solid ice - a few metres of tarmac (covered in black ice) and slippery bits. It was more survival than competition - and having to be helped across a narrow footbridge one person at a time was bizarre. I thoroughly enjoyed it - fell over only once - though tried many more times, managed a personal worst by nearly 3 minutes and would go and do it tomorrow if it was on again ! 

Many took part in the traditional Quakers picnic afterwards - mulled wine, mince pies etc. Another great turn out, around 30 despite the weather. Well done all !