My second ever cross country race: Minnis Bay, Margate Kent (Kent Fitness League)

Minnis Bay is a sandy beach near Margate, in Kent. Just off the beach alongside a tarmac path, is a collection of muddy trails, farmland and bogs. Perfect for a cross country race.

My second ever cross country race: Minnis Bay, Margate Kent (Kent Fitness League)

Being relatively new to cross country, with my first having taken place just a couple of months earlier at Knole Park, I was excited to get back onto the saddle.

I laced up in my Salomon Wildcross trail shoes, got in the car, and headed for the coast. When I stepped out and into the coastal air, the glacial temperatures and fierce wind chilled me to the core in seconds. Already shivering, I headed over to my local running club the Maidstone Harrier’s tent, and took some time in the tent to warm up. It wasn’t very successful.

Minutes later, it was time to start. This was a race that didn’t disappoint…

Warming up in the tent with my running club. It wasn't very successful!

I, along with 470 other runners, shot out of the starting line and into the race. The first kilometre took me along the paved coastal path, passing tourists and locals going for a gentle morning stroll. A major contrast to the carnage that was about to unfold for us in running attire.

I headed down a steep bank, along some muddy tractor tracks, and into long stretch of puddles, mud and vegetation undergrowth.

Heading into the first trail. A muddy, boggy, swampy gauntlet

I hate having wet feet when I’m running, but there are times when one needs to make an exception. This was one of them. I jumped into cold puddles, on short sections of grass, and steadily made my way along the straight.

I felt pretty decent during this section, and was making good pace despite carefully picking the right moment to film with my Go Pro.

Eventually, I turned a corner, down a steep mud slide, and headed along a long grassy straight before turning to the left once more. This straight went on for about two kilometres, and it felt like being on a treadmill. Every step forward felt like it took three times the effort, thanks to the blasting wind smashing us from the opposite direction.

Running along the grassy straight with the wind making it feel like a conveyor belt

Fatigue was starting to creep into the legs at this point, and I was already incredibly muddy, but I was loving it. Cross Country is, to me, an extreme form of trail running. Going full pelt, in less than ideal conditions, off road. Being someone who mainly runs ultramarathons, which focus on slow and steady race strategy, I was enjoying mixing it up and letting it rip.

I then came to a few twists and turns, slipping slightly in the mud, before plunging into the icy puddles. The famous Minnis Bay dykes. Three in total, with one taking me down to waist height. I had so much adrenaline surging, I didn’t even notice the temperature. These dykes are a unique feature of this race, and it’s the first time I’ve jumped into a puddle mid-race. First time for everything, and I’m sure it won’t be my last!

Knee deep in one of the famous Minnis Bay Dykes

Following my mid-race bathing session, I headed along a grassy trail and along an extremely wet and muddy path. Underfoot wasn’t terribly slippery, but I noticed I wasn’t as confident on this terrain as I was compared to other parts of the course so far.

In between navigating my way underfoot, I pulled out my Go Pro to take a shot of myself, and I went down face first and belly flopped like a penguin. If you’re interested in seeing me face plant, mid-race, I was fortunate enough to capture the whole thing on camera for your viewing pleasure. Just check out the race vlog, at the start of this blog post.

Seconds after falling, all smiles but covered in mud.

I brushed myself off, a little taken aback, and carried on. I felt absolutely fine physically, but all the stewards kept asking me if I was okay when I passed them. It must have been the mud, I thought…

I headed along the final corner, and back onto the coastal path where it had all began about 40 minutes earlier. I jumped onto the grass, and sprinted my way to the finish. It was only after stopping, that I noticed a small pain in my knees and my elbows. Both of which, had been sliced open by the rocks and ground as they made contact during the fall.

 I finished 31/471 finishers, in a time of 40 minutes and 48 seconds. The course was just under 10km. Given that it was tough terrain, tonnes of mud, a few dykes, I was filming, and had face planted at the end, I was happy with the performance.

Minnis Bay Cross Country Strava Performance

Overall, Minnis Bay is a fantastic stomping ground for trail and cross country runners alike. It offers challenge, adventure, yet it’s harsh and unforgiving.

I’d highly recommend that anyone running this in winter conditions use either trail shoes with deep lugs and tread, or spikes if you can navigate around the tarmac at the start and end.

Thanks very much for reading, and I wish you the best with your running adventures.

Craig

Running Cafe