The organisers, Purple Patch Running have an interesting website and philosophy (see http://www.purplepatchrunning.com/home.html ).They "believe that running, at every level, should be challenging, achievable and enjoyable. All too often, however, we get caught up in the day to day stresses and strains of fitting in runs, staying motivated, finding new routes, finding new running partners, achieving times, etc. At the end of the day, however, we feel better when we run than when we don’t so don’t let these niggles put you off your stride…..." and "Racing events that challenge all your senses, not just your stopwatch (or wallet!)"
Walking back to the start, nearly had my head taken off by a low flying heron! As there is a lot of lakes and fish - it seems that herons while not actively encouraged, are certainly tolerated. It just perched in one of the weeping willows and eye-balled the fish below.
As the organisers stated its a great place to watch a race so there are loads of supporters and dozens of kids. Along within some fantastic weather, it really made for an almost carnival atmosphere. At the start - one thing I've never understood is there are always slower runners who push their way to near the front. They just hold other up and are soon overtaken as the field of 200 sort themselves out.
After about 500m we leave the office park and onto the tracks and trails of the golf course. This is much more enjoyable than road running although it's sandy underfoot and uphill. Unlike Friday's race, there are plenty of trees and therefore shade which helps. As per usual I latch onto someone as we go round the course. Its quite twisty with "undulations" which makes the run interesting but also means you can't see runners too far in front so its feels like a run almost in isolation. The two of us keep each other company - every time I feel I can draw ahead he speeds up and we gradually egg each other on overtaking one or two other runners.
All around the course the marshals are encouraging and there are quite a lot of other supporters too. Finally around the 8k mark, on what proves to be the last hill, I manage to overtake and this time remain ahead. Slowly reeling in the runner in front I mange to overtake with just 200m to go. Thoroughly enjoyable race with a nice medal to finish.
The race was supporting WaterAid and what was especially good was the goody bag included water saving device and information from Thames Water; Eco-over fabric conditioner; Body Shop 'stuff' - all in all a well themed and thoughtful package - even the bag was recyclable.
Result: 32nd out of 197 in a time of 45:02
History
The land on which Stockley Park stands has been a site of human endeavour for 250,000 years. Throughout its history it has witnessed the evolution of mankind and the way man has learned to adapt local resources to the best advantage.
Before the last ice age, palaeolithic man and woman crafted primitive stone tools which were swept into the gravel underneath Stockley by the rivers and glacial melt waters. By 70,000 years ago the site was visited by Neanderthal man and the implements found in the Yiewsley gravel pits reflect a slow, certain progress over the centuries in the mental concepts and manual skills of these nomadic hunters and gatherers.
As they improved their sharpened flint tool kits they became more efficient at feeding, clothing and sheltering themselves. In fact, the Yiewsley gravel pits, which were investigated early this century, have yielded some of the most extensive deposits in this country of the tools knapped by Neanderthal man.
The more settled Neolithic people farmed the land and gradually received incomers who knew how to work metal.
In 1975 a bronze age axe was found near Harlington Church and nearby there are clues suggesting that a burial ground and settlement were established close to Stockley at this time. Certainly during the middle iron age there was at least one farming community harvesting wheat, barley and oats from the fertile ground.
Archaeological excavations in 1985 and 1990 have revealed four circular huts and associated granaries, along with weaving equipment and the first evidence of industrial waste, metal slag.
Landscaping
Before commencement of development work, a complex and detailed Masterplan was designed by Arup Associates to resolve the many problems relating to the 450 acre site. Engineering solutions were developed which turned the disadvantages of the site into advantages. Site resources were used to create new land forms rather than import or export soil and rubbish.
Clean gravel and clay was then taken from a 'borrow' pit and brought south into the business park to form building foundations, lakes and landscaped areas. An underground cut-off wall along the northern boundary prevents ground water from becoming polluted by the refuse.
It took contractors 18 months to move four million cubic metres of rubbish, clay and gravel - the largest single civil engineering project involving landfill transfer in Europe. As no suitable top soil existed on site, it was created by mixing clay capping with imported sewage cake.
On the business park itself, the landscape plays a vital role in establishing the framework for the development. The park echoes the first formal gardens created by Sir John Bennet in the seventeenth century. An avenue of lime trees runs through the business park, providing an attractive colonnade. Other trees and shrubs have been used to create specific focal points on a grand scale. The lakes are not only an attractive feature, but help to regulate surface and ground water. All of the buildings on the Park have been designed to relate to their unique setting, so that they are part of the landscape, rather than being imposed upon it.
Visitors to the park and employees alike enjoy watching and feeding the many different birds that inhabit the lakes. In total 47 different species are either permanent or occasional residents. The birds that attract the most attention are the swans, but there are also several species of geese.
The itinerant Canadian geese drop in from time to time and a few pairs have taken up permanent residence. There are numerous ducks including Mallards, Aylesburys and Red Crested Pochards, Coots and Moorhens.
The Lakes
The lakes are stocked with Koi Carp, Golden Orf and Gold Fish, as well as many types of common fish. Local Herons are kept busy with this tempting array, but even so the lakes are farmed by a local company on a regular basis, maintaining a healthy balance in the water.
Art & Sculpture
Synchronised Swimmers
Kevin Atherton's eight piece synchronised swimmers sculpture was installed in the Arena lake by a team of divers. Sarah Northey, British Synchronised Swimmer of the year 1987, was wrapped in plaster bandages to cast a mould for the piece. The swimming team of eight in cold cast bronze reflects the octagonal glass section of The White House Bar.
Stained Glass
At 2 Longwalk Road one of the external walls of the building shell is made from stained glass.
The wall is the design of Alexander Beleschenko, who worked with the building's architects, Arup Associates. The window is 56 sq metres, an interplay of ochre and green in an expanse of varied blues.
Sculpture in Bath Stone
Peter Randall-Page produced a sculpture in Bath stone that nestles in a densely landscaped courtyard.
It complements the contemporary building and the technology profile of tenants on the Park.
Commissioned by Dow Chemical to mark their move to Stockley Park, the sculpture captures the moment when Lot's wife turns to a pillar of salt.
ArtoriusArtorius dominates the skyline, reaching 41 feet into the air. The sculpture is made of Cor-ten steel and has a patina to give it an iridescent look.American artist, John Raimondi, was inspired by the legend of King Arthur, but has given the sculpture a distinctly futuristic feel.
OsirisisisCreated by Stephen Cox, Osirisisis is a white diorite stone sculpture in two parts carved in the Eastern Mountains of Egypt.Weighing nearly 7 tons, the nominal presence of a male and female form, reflects the history of piece, which echoes man's desire to make sense of his origins.
Tetrahedron
Designed by William Pye, his water sculpture is a tetrahedron of satin polished stainless steel with three interlaced jets.
