Sunday 14th should have been the day of the Seven Hills of Edinburgh, my favourite race and the reason I have this blog. Alas, Corona. Need not explain that further.
While coming to terms with the fact that, after running in this event 11 years in a row, I'd be missing out on my annual trip to Scotland, I came up with an alternative. Despite living in a very vertically challenged area, surely I could find seven hills to conquer. And indeed I did, in and near the Bergse Bos, where I do my hill training, I could (with some artistic license) identify seven hills to have my race.
And so it happened that on June 14th, 35 brave souls set out to scale the seven peaks near the river Rotte.
The rules regarding social distancing were respected
We started on top of the skiheuvel, an artificial hill (in fact, all of today's hills were man-made) and the highest point of the race (32 metres NAP, bearing in mind that parts of the race are below sea level). In addition to the lookout point where we set off, it houses a ski slope and an mtb track.
The white bit is the ski slope, we make do here in the flatlands
To make it easier to keep the mandatory 1.5 metres distance, to prevent clogging the small paths, and also to make route finding a bit more difficult, we set off individually. In order to not overcrowd the start, we also split up in two starting waves. I put myself in the second group, so I could take some pictures of the others starting.
Raoul was first to set off
As our first starters were getting round the course, they encountered some drizzle. Then rain. And as they reached the skiheuvel again it was a downpour of biblical proportions. The kind of rain where you're glad you're on top of a hill, just in case the rest of the lowlands get flooded.
It was possible (note: possible) to complete the race in less than 8 km, so some of us still had to start. As the last starter, I was one of them.
My race
Undeterred by the weather, I set off for a blistering descend. Luckily, I didn't have to pass any finishers on this small path. It didn't take me long to reach the first 'hill', the Rottebanbrug.
Photo taken on a better day
Next up was the hill in the Ommoordse Veld. I had done a few reccies and found it with no problems. I think most managed to find this checkpoint all right. The hill stands out (it's at 1.5 m NAP, but in an area that's at -3.8 NAP), provided you're at a spot where trees don't block your line of vision.
The real question was: how to swiftly return to the river Rotte and the second bridge of the day? Beforehand, routes where shared that involved getting back on the dyke as soon as possible. However, I had noticed that a straighter line was possible by sticking to the side of the road for a bit, rejoining the dyke at the last possible moment. Afterwards, I saw many others had chosen this option as well. One of them was Wiebe, who I passed here. He was limping a bit, having overstretched on the downhill at the Ommoordse Veld.
Crossed the other bridge (third checkpoint done) and at some point noticed some soapy foam coming out of my shorts. My best explanation is that some traces of laundry detergent were responding to gallons of rain pouring down on me. The result was that: 1) I didn't need to wash the shorts afterwards, and 2) I waxed all my body hair in that region (can't recommend).
The foam didn't slow me down, however. I took the 'garage shortcut' which I suppose will be the new standard if we ever do this again. Passed Jeannette who had also discovered this route option. But I think my way towards the golf course (next cp) was faster. That said, we both found the next hill without much ado.
The golfer's clubhouse, next checkpoint
As Alan would say: "beware of golfers and their balls". I shared this practical tip beforehand, but no golfers were out in this weather. So I quickly summited and ran down towards Heuvel B. At this point the race had really started, with some steeper climbing in more rapid succession. My legs were already getting tired and I had to push hard to keep a good pace.
Up the next hill, then down the shortest way. A small, slippery path. And yes, I involuntarily did a slide down. No harm done, and quickly on my way to the Tussenbult. It has a pretty visible landmark we used as the checkpoint, a piece of modern art which resembles a tunnel upside down.
I'll repeat: these photos were taken on a different day
The next bit I had reccied just three days earlier. There are two ways in similar length to go from here back to the top of the skiheuvel. Despite the earlier tumble, I took the slippery descend (no fall, but probably lost a bit of time due to cautiousness). This meant I had a more gradual ascend, which my tired legs appreciated. However, a small group of mountainbikers caused me to stick to the far side of the path (fair play to them, I was on a mtb-track).
Pushing hard I went up and tagged the sign, less than 32 minutes after I had started there. It was intense, but very enjoyable. My total distance was just 7.5 km, checking out route options definitely helped me there. The total elevation was over 100 metres. Not as spectacular as in Edinburgh, but enough to set it apart from your typical Dutch road race.
The aftermath
After catching my breath and catching up with others, we quickly realised that quite a few runners got lost. Most notably, a group had run into the Lage Bergse Bos, somehow missing the golf course. Before we got too worried, they showed up (well, most of them did). Making an epic finish on a rainy hill.
We had planned an after party. With of course rhubarb pie and other goodies, just like the real Seven Hills has. Due to the rain, we mostly stuffed our faces with pies, tarts, and quiches at the parking lot.
The rain spoiling most of the fun, quite a few runners had left already. Those who remained were also keen to get going, but we were still one man short. Antoine was still out there, and we were getting worried. But, just as I was going up the hill again to see if I could spot him, our French contestant was walking down after finishing his run of one-and-a-half hours. Despite the rain and getting utterly lost, he had enjoyed it. We gave him a lot of pie to recover and then all went home. Slightly disappointed about the weather, but having had a great day otherwise.
The results
Most times were double checked with Strava, but other than that we were all under the honour system.
All participants received a special coaster. The design is largely copied from the Seven Hills of Edinburgh mementoes, except I made the hills a bit smaller and added a little corona to the background.
No trophies for the winners. However, some outstanding performances will be awarded here virtually.
Fastest time (male): Ton
Fastest time (female): Rosanne V
Best British runner: Matt
Best 'overseas': Menno (Brabant)
Shortest distance: Bob (just 7.2 km)
Longest distance: Antoine (17.5 km)
Best outfit: Menno
Best route mapping: Roland
Best after party catering: Angela & Wiebe (serving hot drinks from their van!)
Next time?
The event was designed as a one-off. But with many positive responses, we might do another one in the future. Perhaps in 2021 as a warm-up for the real Seven Hills, when hopefully we'll have a strong Dutch squad travelling to Edinburgh again.
Some (and I'm guilty as charged) have also consulted the map to check for bars, restaurants and the like in the vicinity of our hilltops. Perhaps a Seven Beers version of the course is possible.
