Return to action for Boston Community runners as Carder tackles Belper Rover

With very few events taking place this year Boston Community Runners' Adrian Carder was delighted to see the Belper Rover being held.

This event was previously known as the Rugby Rover but returned a couple of years ago under new management and with a new route as well as a new name.

A challenging multi-terrain 30K (18.6 miles) event is open to runners and walkers and set in the picturesque Amber Valley, Derbyshire, with views of neighbouring counties such as Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and even Staffordshire when the sky is clear and blue.

It’s a long anticlockwise almost-loop, north and west of the town of Belper, with about 1,400ft of climbing.

It's just the race that Boston's Carder loves and he was thrilled to be able to get the black and yellow stripes competing once more.

The event was totally Covid compliant as is this the new normal and, although it was strange to be masked up at the start and again at the finish, the rolling start ensured there was no crowding together.

The runners also had to carry their drinks with them.

Adrian had an excellent run and although the views from the top were scuppered due to low cloud and mist the route itself was very varied and enjoyable.

The light drizzle made the temperature just right for a long run and Adrian managed to finish fourth in his age category in a great time of 3.27.02.

Although scheduled events for this year and early next are still being cancelled, Adrian is hopeful to be out competing again very soon as are the other members of Boston Community Runners.

The club recently restarted their group activities on Tuesday and Thursday evenings as well as a Sunday morning run, all adhering to the Covid guidelines.