Woodland Woggle - 12th May 2024
I first did the Woodland Woggle in 2014, and since then, one of the first questions on the running calendar for the year is: “Are we Woggling?” Around 10 members of Farnham Town Running Club took part last year, this year a fantastic 22 turned out, with a few dropping out for injury – nearly 5% of the total field!
It’s been billed as one of the prettiest 10ks in England, with bluebells, lovely and varied scenery and magnificent views. Organised by the fantastic Blackwater Valley Running Club, it takes place on the Hampton Estate, with picturesque meadows and contented cattle, Puttenham Common heathland, the varied mosaic of the regenerative farm, and shady woodlands. It’s also a very friendly event, from the scouts selling homemade cakes and bacon rolls, through the host of Blackwater Valley marshalls and jokey signs encouraging you around the course, to the Estate owners who cheer everyone past the house.
The course is challenging – don’t expect a trail personal best, you’re there for the scenery. The first half is quite tight, up and down narrow paths on Puttenham Common, the second half more undulating, past the camp site, in and out of the woods to the peak before the downhill finish.
Initial reactions were “What a beautiful morning”. There was a great atmosphere at the start, with a good turn-out of spectators and supporters, including Peter, Libby, Keith, Laura after a very hot bike ride, and Piero and dog, the latter offering cooling rubs after a swim in Frensham Pond. The run started up the estate road at a good pace and after 1km turned off into Puttenham Common where we made first contact with sandy trails we were to see for the rest of the run.
Just before 2km we came across the first sign to encourage us, “IT’S JUST A HILL – GET OVER IT”. Well, it was a big one and everyone started to walk. But we did get over it. We wiggled, or is that woggled , around the common with plenty of smaller hills, marshalls to cheer us on, and FTRC members including Rachel, Stuart (run there just for photography duty) and Libby popping up at random places. One minute you were in the trees and the next you had wonderful vistas across the common and the Estate.
We hit the drinks stop between 5km and 6km and then over onto the private part of the Estate. By now, the “beautiful morning” was turning to a more challenging 25-degree heat and having its impact - a lot more walking up the hills, and a lot of red faces.
After 8.5km we got the promised downhill finish, with a long, gentle grassy track. Most members still managed to smile for the cameras at this point, Owen, Jack, Debbie, Jon and Amy finishing particularly strong, soon to be followed by Susan, Emma, Melissa, three Sarahs, Catherine and the two couples running together – Chris and Julie, Philip and Kit. Into the finish area and then a slight uphill piece to the finish line being cheered on by all the supporters. Tanya, David, Andy and Kyla finished soon after, Krissy and Jenny nobly bringing up the rear for team FTRC.
Did we enjoy it? A few seemed not so sure, probably the heat had something to do with it. Tanya failed to spot many bluebells (needs to go back for another look) but most of the women seemed more positive than the men. Obviously, it wasn’t hot enough for some, as Susan and Emma elected to run home and while many of us enjoyed post-run hydration in the sunshine at the Princess Royal, Jack elected to do his daily mile down Moor Park Lane.
Well down to everyone, and hope you’ll be back next year, hopefully it won’t be so hot. Special thanks to the supporters and photographers, and all the marshalls and volunteers from neighbouring club Blackwater Valley for giving up their time and giving so much encouragement.
This race report was kindly written by FTRC club members Libby & Andy Ralph.