The ‘Le Mans’ style start at the Bell Races by White Star Running

Any running race with a ‘Le Mans’ style start is worth a go. The playing field is completely levelled by the fact that the race starts with all the runners shoes in a giant mixed up pile in a field and competitors aren’t allowed to start until both their shoes are on and laced up. Cheat in any way and you get blasted with a super soaker.

To add to the mayhem you get your cow bell medal half way round  so you get the indignity of running down a steep 1.5 miles with a cow bell clanging away round your neck and at over 50 mins this was my worst 3 mile time ever. 

The Bell Races by White Star Running

Its glorious chaos and the perfect start to a race dreamt up by White Star Running to raise money for the community kind enough to host some of their races. 

The Cow Bell Medal at the White Star Running Bell Races

The Bell races was a perfect 3 mile fun run to end a weekend of running that had White Star Running celebrate their 100th run.  I love seeing such a wide variety of runners of all ages and White Star has a ‘fun first , compete second’ feel that I’ve really come to enjoy.

The course itself was a simple 3 mile out and back over a huge hill, with various tasks to complete at the top to get your ‘medal’. This could randomly be anything from pressups to telling a good joke.

Once you’ve won your medal its simply a 1.5 mile downhill dash with the cowbell clanging round your neck to the finish.

The event was run exclusively so that all the proceeds went towards the Sydling St Nicholas Village Hall. This was the base of all the runs that weekend and I love seeing any trail running company have a positive financial impact to a small community that is kind enough to host them.

I met up with some friends after, had an ice cream and ambled off about an hour later. I spent more time socialising than running.

Lets hope the Le Mans Style start becomes more popular in other races too.

Ice Cream at the end of the Bell Races from White Star Running

You can find out more information about all White Star Running Races here