This event is organised by the Hare & Tortoise company and the HQ and start is at the old Rayne Station House on the Flitch Way. The Fitch Way is an old railway line, that is now a bridleway and country park, the Takeley 10k is another event that is set on the way, but further west. It is an unusual event having multiple events on the same day. There are two 10k and two half-marathon races, starting at 9am and at mid-day. A marathon that starts in the morning and a 5k that starts at midday. There are also 2 days when races take place; in December and February, called 'RayneDeer' and 'Rayneing Medals'!! The course is 2.5k east along the Flitch Way, do a U turn, come back past the start and 2.5k west along the way and back. However, the 5k loop is a little longer than 5k, I presume to make up to the half marathon distance. The 10k route is one lap of each loop, the half two laps etc, so maybe it can get a little tedious for the half and full marathon runners.
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It is a low key event with no marker posts or stewards and is probably aimed more at the enthusiastic jogger, than the club runners, but it is an enjoyable, friendly event at the time of the year when there are not many races around.
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There is a choice of generic Hare & Tortoise finisher medals, not related to the event, which is the only mildly disappointing thing about the day. The old station house has a very good cafe selling lovely home made sandwiches and cakes, which is worth visiting at the end. Parking is easy enough, the old station has a small free car park that is busy, but has spaces, but if full you can easily park on the road leading to event.
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