In incredibly hot and slow conditions, Angela Mudge, Hilary and Andy Spenceley recently ran the Thyon-Dixence race in Switzerland, a 16km race from the ski resort of Thyon (near Sion) to the finish on top of the high dam of Dixene. All the race is on narrow twisting paths and the whole race is above 2000m. It is one of the most beautiful runs imaginable. The only downside (apart from the heat and altitude) is you can see the dam virtually all the way and it never seems to get nearer! In a very classy field (as it’s used as a warm up for the international Sierre-Zinal a week later) of about 400, plus another 870 in a separate challenge run, Hilary and Angela made the podium – Hilary 4th Over 60 and Angela 2nd Over 40, while Andy struggled to 12th Over 50 – not too bad when considering he is the wrong end of his age group and all those in front of him were much younger – will be in the Over 60s in this race next year! Race web page here.
Andy Spenceley