Sunday 2 November 2014

Ghostly adventures

Huskies Running's Hallowe'en Jack-o'-lantern
Friday 31st October, the night of terror that comes but once a year….. Hallowe’en night means tricks for some and treats for others.  We prefer the treat option.

For the last three years Believe and Achieve have organised the fabulous Ghost Race, which takes place on the Friday closest to the night of Hallowe’en.  It is a 5 mile race starting at Alexandra Park in Portsmouth and runs across varied terrain around the Hilsea Lido and Foxes Forest.  It is run in complete darkness and there are many ghouls and beasts that leap out from the trees as you negotiate the course which includes wooden bridges, narrow paths and exposed tree roots.  Not for the faint hearted this is a course that requires a very good torch, focused mind and courage to enter the woods…..

Krofti the Moth
Or if you just fancy having some fun on a Friday evening then this is the perfect event for you.  Fancy dress is not compulsory, but is recommended for extra fun.

We first learned of this event in 2012 when our good friend Amanda ran it with Krofti our eldest Siberian Husky (dressed as a moth).    We would have loved to run it with them but had been invited to run New York Marathon as official pace team members.  Amanda and Krofti had such a fabulous time that we decided that we would definitely run it in 2013, and we did.  I ran as a Fairy Princess with my two pumpkin Siberian Huskies providing the “ride” and Ian ran as a Ghostbuster.  I don’t think anyone had ever seen two pumpkins move as quickly as those two did off the start line!  We slowed as soon as we encountered the first ghoul as one of the husky pumpkins decided that it was better to trot and “woo woo” at any nasty ghouls that dared cross his path.
Ghost Race 2013

This year the plan was to just potter round the course as I was wearing a fracture boot and am currently recovering from injury. 

This year I was dressed a ghost and Ian was a werewolf.  Ian ran with Kez while Kroi helped guide me round the course. 

The werewolf and the Ghost....
We had fun.  I tripped over my sheet and landed in a heap on the floor, had my head torch yanked off my head by a low overhanging branch and went a little bit quicker than just a potter.  Ian the werewolf zoomed of in the distance at supersonic speed with Kez the Husky by his side ready to protect him from any Zombie threat…..

Kroi remembered the course and his experience from last year and instead of “wooing” at ghouls he laughed at them and trotted past, cursing me for slowing him down.  He also let me know when I managed to wander off course due to a lapse in my concentration.

The medals: 2012, 2013 & 2014
Awaiting us at the finish was a fabulous bespoke medal and goody bag with lots of sweet treats.  Even the dogs got medals.  The Huskies Running team are all now the proud owners of a full set of these fabulous medals.
If you fancy some fun next Hallowe’en Friday, check out this race, you will not be disappointed.


(Images thanks to Ian J Berry, Ian Burnett, Amanda Tattersall & me)