Not quite midwinter and not quite as cold (6C) or wet as expected given the high wind and rainfall yesterday. Mud was definitely on the ground but not as thick as last year, so altogether one of the better years for record chasing. The 24 who turned out were a selection of the top thirty in the club, though this is meant to be an event for everyone – encouraging people to get suitably fit for what I acknowledge is a hard 6 miles with over 400 ft of climb. In fact the dreaded laryngitis bug had slayed a few, and others have had a tough last few weeks of racing so actually 24 was pretty good. In the end no records were broken – but Shaun and Rhian got quite close and there were eleven sub 50 minute performances and the all-time lists will be amended.
Tracey’s phenomenal return was certainly unexpected, and she even out-kicked Rhian into the finish. A year ago she was so disappointed at her lengthy injury that she threw away her cross country shoes (the ones which previously won her the W50 League championship) so this performance on the mud had to be achieved in road shoes. Back in 2002 she won this event, including its road sections, in spikes – so getting the footwear right is clearly challenging for her. We know a man with a 3D printer who might help……(Fred).
Tony B won the ‘Battered Cup’ but will need to mug Emma for it sometime after Xmas.
Very many thanks are due to Rob P and Dawn for officiating, coping with a much closer finish by the top eight than ever before – and Rob produced immaculate results in time for the prize-giving.
……………………………….Finishing time……….Actual time
1st Tracey……………………11.18.52 am…………..53m52
2nd Rhian……………………11.18.56……………….46m56
3rd Tony B…………………..11.18.59………………..49m59
4th Shaun…………………….11.19.09……………….40m09
5th David B………………………19.14………………..46m14
6th Jon W…………………………19.22……………….57m22
7th Anwen…………………………19.25……………….61m25
8th Owen…………………………..19.39……………….46m39
9th Glen…………………………….19.58……………….43m58
10th Huw…………………………..20.17………………..48m17
11th Steve…………………………..20.26……………….49m26
12th Phil…………………………….20.39……………….47m39
13th Mat……………………………..20.47………………47m47
14th Menai…………………………..20.51………………60m51
15th Elen……………………………..21.58………………56m58
16th Chris…………………………….22.07………………59m07
17th Ian………………………………..22.23……………..56m23
18th Dan………………………………22.59………………56m59
19th Sali……………………………….23.52………………61m52
20th Roger…………………………..23.55……………….64m55
21st Fred………………………………24.06………………57m06
22nd Tony W………………………..24.23………………48m23
23rd Bob………………………………25.02………………60m02
24th Katy B…………………………..26.27………………57m27 (despite short-cut!)
NB North Wales Championships is on 5th January at Rhug. Entries close on 28th December so if you want to run please enter now – see the North Wales Cross Country website for the link.
