After conning my mates Dave and Terry to have a go at an fkt, we met on what was the sunniest day of the year so far in Andover, to attempt the 18.5 mile out and back route along River Anton Way. Probably doing a sub 25 min 5km parkrun wasn't the best warm up, but hey ho!
The route it self was through parkland, a little bit of raod but mostly rural countryside following the route of the Anton River.
We had highlights on the way out including meeting her majesty.
Conditons under foot were a bitty slippy in places but overall good going. We managed to get to the half way point in good time in around 1:45, but due to my stupidity and parkrun, it was slower going on the way back.
Luckily, we didn't have to go over the troll bridge on the way back and it didn't charge for photos :)
We managed to beat 4 hours which for three of us over 40 carrying all the regular niggles of our sort of running was thoroughly enoyable.
Nice cafe at the end, but it shut just as we got there, so we settled for food and beer to celebrate
We know we're not the fastest, and we have got the fastest time because no one else has done it, but a record is a reocrd and we'll take it. It's all good fun
Good luck to those going after us - you'll enjoy it.