What do you get when you cross one of the toughest off road marathon courses in the country with some overnight rain and 816 runners traipsing over it the day before in 2 other races?
Answer – HARD WORK!! Slippery mud, hampered all 29 runners in both the 20(ish) mile race and the marathon.
“I’ve run 12 marathons” said Jane Andrew “and that was the hardest run I’ve ever done”
First to set off were the magnificent 7 in the marathon. Unsurprisingly no rookies today, all experienced at the distance (some more than others…. Steve Hickman Marathon no.134!) Great running by all 6 guys and plucky solo girl Lou Dover.
Team IWRR managed to bring the fi-yah with a stonking 10th place overall from Dan Williams, (also 5th place V40), 19th overall from Tim Cordery, (also 2nd in his age category) and Lou also securing the second spot for her F25-29 age group.
Also of note was Chairman Pat Harris, who knocked a massive 13 and a half minutes off last years time. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day was that it was, in fact, an actual marathon and not the loosely 27/28ish “marathon” of previous years. A great relief I’m sure to the super 7.
Dan Williams – 3.45.52
Tim Cordery – 3.54.45
Gordon Mucklow – 4.16.03
Ian Dyer – 5.15.18
Lou Dover – 5.15.18
Steve Hickman – 5.42.20
Pat Harris – 5.42.27
An hour later a remarkable 22 Roadrunners embarked on the tough “20” Many tackling the distance for the first ever time.
But despite the mud and the huge elevation, (the equivalent of running up Culver Down 5 and a half times), it was smiles all round, possibly due to the cider they were giving out along with hugs and kisses at the “Lovestation” water stop at 17 miles but who knows? (We do like to work hard, play hard at Roadrunners!)
Many of today’s team opted to run in pairs or small groups rather than running it solo. On long runs such as this, especially over such gruelling terrain, the power of friendship and teamwork can really make all the difference and it is something we are big on at Roadrunners. It sounds crazy, but some there are real genuine bonds forged out there on a race like this. It’s an added bonus that sits alongside the running itself. We look after each other and push each other through.
Just like the half marathoners the day before, team 20 were treated to an extra 1.2 miles totally gratis (aren’t they lucky!) but all rallied for a fine finish, grabbing their medals and straight in for their well deserved free pizzas thrown in by organisers White Star Running.
First Roadrunner back was Matt Fletcher in a superb 8th overall and 3rd V40 closely followed by off road king Michael Coultrup in 9th to secure the top spot in the V50 category.
Elaine Harris and Hayley Baxter crossed the line simultaneously to become first girls back and each securing 4th place in their groups. George Butler took the top spot in the M20-24 with first time 20 miler Joe Winchcombe taking 2nd. Also of note were husband and wife team Jane and Darren Andrew who crossed the line 4th & 5th respectively in their categories, and Julie Salter, Tim Howell and Jenny Dewing who all came 5th in theirs.
Great running gang!
Matt Fletcher – 2.55.38
Michael Coultrup – 2.57.10
Tim Howell – 3.34.55
Darren Andrew – 3.34.55
Elaine Harris – 3.48.17
Hayley Baxter – 3.48.17
Keith Ruth – 3.54.30
Charlotte Williams – 3.54.36
Jenny Dewing – 3.54.37
Julie Salter – 3.54.41
Tarnia Eldridge 4.02.01
George Butler – 4.02.02
Kevin Winchcombe – 4.04.37
Joe Winchcombe – 4.04.40
Lisa Upstell – 4.06.07
Zoe Elliot – 4.10.49
Claire Howard – 4.19.30
Jane Andrew – 4.19.31
Alison Batchelor – 4.19.32
Julie Ray – 4.33.38
Julie Rasmussen – 4.33.38
Ian Williams – 4.47.38
