Three Forts Marathon 2009

Completed my fifth cross country marathon last weekend. This is a 27 mile run starting in Worthing and taking in Cissbury, Devil's Dyke and Chanctonbury before returning to Worthing for the finish. Went off a bit fast this year and actually found myself leading for the first mile and a half. Very disconcerting and I felt a lot more comfortable once a few runners passed me. As in previous years there was no marshal or signage at the top of Coombes Farm meaning the entire pack followed the leader down the wrong path knocking about a quarter mile of the total distance. That was the only problem I saw though and the rest was clearly signed. Was going well for the first 18 miles or so and was keeping to an 8:20 minute average so was in with a shout of beating my PB. Unfortunately began to flag on the long drag from the river back up to the top of Chanctonbury and lost a few seconds. Was too tired to really capitalise on the downhill and didn't really pick up properly until the final descent from Cissbury. Finished in 4:01 which is fairly pleasing - my second best result so far but 10 minutes behind my PB.
Despite several moments where I hated running and vowed to never put my trail shoes on again I'm now keen to get another one in this year. Possibly the South Downs Marathon in June...