Jan Birkmyre rides her first ever competitive climb at “The Walbury Hill Climb,” and, despite winning her Age Group category, swears it might be her last…

This beast of a hill climb takes in an ascent of the beautiful Walbury Hill, Berkshire, which, at 297m above sea level, is the highest natural point in Southern England. The course covers a distance of 1883 metres and starts with an initial ramp, which is followed by an easier section and is then finished with a final steep climb. The latter of which punishes even those who have paced their effort perfectly.

Jan initially felt she had not paced herself well. This, she said was witnessed by the amount of time she spent lying in a nettle infested ditch at the top of the hill. However, after the race, her coach analysed the data and declared it “the perfect session in readiness for the World Masters Track Championships.”

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