17km Course du duc

Part of the escalade series of races, this one is only done every 5 years. Some call it the super escalade.

But for me, something that only ever happen once every 5 years has to be worth checking out.

Pierro (super elite thought he had a podium chance) and Steve also from work were doing it too.

Had to get down to the finish in Geneva during the day to get my number and that was good as I knew how it would finish. Long clip through the park and a u-turn to the finish. The first gantry is 400m out and is a bridge - not the finish.

This race tracks the route the duc of Savoie took with his troops 400 years ago to teach the Calvinist Genevois a lesson. Ha - they got whipped!

Got the bus as planned, after wondering around for a while, I bumped into another guy wondering around and then we saw a group that looked like they knew where they were going. The bus to take was printed in the pack, but when I got there the lady running the shop just made sure the first bus in was filled as quickly as possible and then sent it off.

We got to Reignier in about 20 minutes and there were plenty of people milling around. I went to check out the start and watched enviously as the people in the warm restaurants were enjoying their evening meal. The hot drink place was full to silly levels so I jogged off to find one of the keep warm locations. First one was a massive sports hall. I queued up for ages and got in only to find it was completely full, so I did a u turn and queued up for ages to get back out.

Noticed people heading still further away from the start so I followed them and found a less busy (but pretty full) location. In there I found Steve, so that was great. He kindly shared some food and we had a good old chat to kill the time.

I lost Steve at the bag drop, then made my way to the start. I had messed up my entry and so was down to go in block 6, but I talked them into upgrading me to block 2 and while my number showed 6 it was easy to get into block 2.

I went for the middle of block two and waited. Did not get any warm up as such in, as it was so cold I did not want to be outside any longer then necessary.

Gun for block 1 went I thought of Pierro out in front in the lead group. Block 2 shuffled forwards and vaguely started jogging and I hit the garmin under the inflatable start gantry.

Start is downhill and was frustratingly slow. First two were 5mins and I was trying so hard to go faster, but was boxed in. There was a switch back early on and that was one of the highlights, seeing all the head torches - thousands of people in a river of light - snaking their way up the hill in front. Stunning and unique.

Got the pace faster and settled down. Noticed people taking off their jackets, I smiled as mine was in my bag!

A train overtook us and the driver let rip on his horn, then I remembered there were several level crossings and the trains were not stopping for the race. By the time I got the crossing it was open again. Phew.

We ran along side the Saleve, a large outcrop of sheer cliff to the top of a massive lump of rock, with the little lights of the restaurant at the top where the cable car takes you. Never been this close to the Saleve on the french side.

A few people on the French side were out to cheer us on, but they were few and far between.

However when we crossed the border at Veyrier that all changed. The crowds were 4 or 5 deep in places and very loud "We are here to encourage you", "You are so brave", and patriotic songs blasted out of loudspeakers and fanfares (drums and flutes) lined the route. Every round about or junction had people there going mental.

That was 12 km done and I'd gone through 10 in 44 so was thinking 1h 20 might be possible.

I lost a bit on a slight uphill and then I started to recognise where I was and so began to push and try to pick up the pace for the last few km to try and sneak in under 1h 20.

I over took a guy in a mutant ninja turtle outfit (including inflatable shell) who was running with a lady dressed as a rabbit with ears and tail! No way were turtle and rabbit going to finish before me.

I thought I was hallucinating when I saw an unofficial looking drinks stand which was actually dispensing whisky and other strong spirits. I decided against that!

Into the old town of Geneva and again the crowds were amazing. Cobbled streets were not nice to run on and I could feel my legs giving out. Somone called 900m to go as my Garmin said 17km cleared. I tried to hold the fast pace into the park and I remembered "the gantry is NOT the finish" the four guys around me blasted off racing each other to the gantry and I cruised past them all as another 400m of park was left before the turn. My calves were niggling and I was worried I might collapse but I held it together to the line and got through to pick up my goodie bag and get a banana and drink.

Did it in 1h 21m 32s from Garmin or 1h 21m 22s based on the official time. I was 261st in my category (of 1249). 657th overall out of 5,000 plus.

Then the cramp hit me - it was agony, both calves just contracted and I fell to the ground. A guy helped me pushing the stretch and it went and I continued. But I had to get over the race route to get my bag. Again, I seized up at the top of the stairs, but there I was holding on so did not fall. Stretched again and the pattern repeated at the bottom of the stairs on the far side. Agony. One tosser said that's what you get for racing with out training. Idiot, I've run over 21km twice in the last month and a week ago did 17 no problem. Admittedly a lot slower! But the vast majority were very helpful. I continued towards my bag and there was a big ramp to get up to the buses - nightmare. Made it halfway and they went again. I guy gave me a bottle of water and checked I was ok. Recovered and got my bag.

Brilliant organisation and everything ran like clockwork. Very impressed and nothing like the horror stories of 5 years ago. By now I had 25 mins to get my train so I jogged very very slowly and made it to the station in good time where I met Patrick, who was getting changed behind the sign I was stretching against. Nice to have some company and he gave me half a banana and I remembered I had some chocolate that we scoffed too.

What an adventure. Loved it. Felt like part of the history of the place was being re-enacted. See you in 5 years duc!

Garmin