Social & Information

The Orion 15 is hard to categorise. It’s a race. It’s 15 miles. It’s organised by Orion Harriers, based on the edge of Epping forest on the fringes of Essex. Terrain? Well, this is the problem. It’s certainly not a road race, not by anyone’s warped imagination. It does contain some road sections but it is not a road race. It’s very much off road – cross country? The organising club call it a cross country race but I have to say I’ve never run a 15 mile cross country race – Thornes Park, it aint. Fell race? Well, there is plenty of climb (believe me we don’t have the monopoly on hills in Yorkshire). The climbs are frequent but short. Not a fell race. Trail race? – maybe but this brings to mind a series of gentle, winding, firm, paths. There are paths but they are not firm. They are muddy. Extremely muddy. It’s a trail race but it’s a vicious trail race. Let’s stick to that.

Anyway, the race, which has been run since the mid 1950s, is a classic. - a real tester. It is contained entirely within the ancient and beautiful (but muddy) Epping forest. The first 6 miles or so are fairly sedate before the fun starts with a series of rollercoaster like ups and downs, twisting and turning through the undergrowth. Marshalls abound and there is little chance of getting lost as there is also a sawdust trail to follow – an old fashioned by really effective (and environmentally friendly) way of marking the race.

It’s low key and friendly with this year’s turn out a record 290 odd. As for my performance, I found myself at the front from the off and with no-one else willing (or daft enough) to take the race on in the early stages, I lead the field. I managed to keep the lead for the first 7 miles when I was caught by a lad from Serpentine running club. I held second until about 10 miles but the strain of leading for so long was starting to show. I was determined to hold my position in third which I managed to do. I’d have settled for third before the race but ended up a little disappointed having held the lead for the first half. My disappointment was short lived when I realised that Orion were dishing out champagne at the finish as well as water and orange. A few glasses of bubbly made me blissfully serene and helped me forget my aching legs…..at least until the next day.

In short, it’s a unique, historic and challenging race, brilliantly organised by Orion Harriers. I urge you to have a crack at it next year. The organising club are moving into a new clubhouse and I know they’d welcome you with open arms. I’ll be there next year and I’ll have space in my car……