April isn’t only about big events.
Just when I thought it was safe to put my feet up Sofia discovered the Ampthill and Flitwick (no, it’s pronounced “Flit-ik”) 10K on the Sunday before the London Marathon.
40 miles up the M1 from NW2 (we drive further for some cross-countries) the event is organised by the Ampthill and Flitwick Flyers, setting off from a school at the edge of town, a few minutes from the Thameslink station.
Almost the entire route follows country lanes, between bluebell woods and fields over very manageable hills. Think of it as another Fred Hughes, with under 700 participants, but warmer and only 2/3rd the length. It was strikingly well-marshalled by the local club, well fed afterwards by the local scout troop, friendly and welcoming, and attracts many of clubs we are familiar with from the Chiltern League races. But the surprise from one of the organisers: “What? You’ve come all the way from London?” shows that is not as well known as it deserves to be.
If you want a low stress, low cost event in nice countryside on a sunny morning in April, with an unusual glass medal to remember it by, consider it for next year.
