Newsletter October 2005

Over a month late I know but I have been waiting for some news items! The latest news is that we are having a Christmas knees up on Friday 16^th December. As last year, it is a festive meal at the Langport Arms, followed by a disco. See Pete if you want to go.

We have decided to do the Awards evening on the same night as the AGM. This will be at the Langport Arms on February 4^th - so put the date in your diary. All members will have the opportunity to nominate and vote for runners in the usual categories. We are looking for some comic nominations as well! Any ideas? Have any runners you know done anything really silly, had any blonde moments etc?! I think newsletter editors should have the privilege of being exempt from awards like this!!

Dartmoor Discovery Road Race June 4^th 2005

To those of you who take the trouble to read this, beware, I’m biased, because this is without doubt my favourite race of the year.

The race is traditionally run on the first Saturday in June and is based in Princetown, Dartmoor, within sight of the infamous prison. The race winds inexorably through the quiet, picturesque lanes of Dartmoor, taking in Ashburton and numerous picture- postcard villages on the way. One of the great features of this event is that the 33 mile course allows for a very gradual warm up and gives the opportunity of savouring some of the fantastic countryside views. But don’t get too carried away – four quite major climbs and dozens of uncomfortable, sharp ascents can just spoil the enjoyment if you let them.

Dartmoor has its own weather system so you just have to wait until the big day to find out if you will boil or freeze. This year we were quite fortunate with cool conditions, but either way it really does help to have support en route to provide extra food and water and wet weather gear if required. As always, my trusty wife was in attendance with strict instructions not to scoff all my jelly babies! For me there was the added pressure of two sets of parents in tow, all expecting great things! Anyway, having pigged out on pasta the night before in nearby Tavistock, the 9.30 am start soon arrived and all the hard training was a thing of the past…it was now the real thing!

The first 6 miles are the best – easy running and great scenery. I had planned to run these with Russ McArthur but he hung back to socialize with the numerous other fun-loving runners (and his Dad) out for a pleasant day’s exercise---yes this is a great social event! However I was after a good time and with the parents-in-law to impress I thought I’d better crack on.

For me however, the key to a good time is to take things relatively easy for the first 1½ - 2 hours, so I walked up the first major climb. Having run this race in 2003 I knew that all those foolish runners huffing and puffing to the top of the mile long ascent would surely pay the price later in the day and so it turned out. The point is that you shouldn’t fear the distance but you do need to respect it, so the “race” doesn’t start for more sensible runners until the half-way point.

One of the things that makes this race so great is that the time just flies by because of the unique Dartmoor scenery. Every part of the course is interesting, which is just as well because after about 2 hours on the road there is every chance that you will be on your own. However, there are no worries about getting lost because the course is extremely well marshaled and the next water station is never far away. There are no mile markers ( except the 26.2 banner ) because I guess that would be too frightening – nobody really wants to know that they’ve run 16 miles and are only half-way!

Another real bonus to this race is that supporters are really well catered for. There are numerous pre-specified spectator viewing points along the course where cars can park and onlookers and supporters can distribute supplies or just give encouragement. This all makes for an enjoyable family day out because everyone can be involved. From a runner’s perspective it is great to see a familiar face when the fatigue has really set in.

In 2003 I came 11^th and so my aim this year was to better that. As the race progressed I began to press on. Most of the running was now on my own but when I did pass or was passed by other runners there was always some friendly encouragement or banter. A different kind of atmosphere exists in this type of event because it’s more man against course rather than a race and it’s this that helps to make the day so special.

At 26.2 miles the marathon banner tells you that there is another 6 miles to go but from here on the course is relatively friendly except for the inevitable hilly “sting in the tail” a mile from home. The roads back to Princetown are long and straight but for me they were quite lonely since the field is spread over some 4 hours by this time. I did pass my father at one stage and he took cruel delight in offering me a sip of his red wine – by this time he was enjoying life more than me.

With the final climb behind me the prison comes into sight and the finish beckons. There is quite a crowd to greet the home- comers and the final few hundred yards seems so easy, but it’s lovely to stop and take the weight of your feet. The only down-side to all of this was that after all that effort I had again come 11^th – clearly it’s my destiny. By this time the weather had begun to deteriorate so I didn’t hang around at the finish for Russ and his dad. (Both finished in good time and with dignity intact).

After a few pints in the pub and the awards ceremony, it was all over, with the general consensus being that we would all be seeing one another next year.

I’ve had busy year of running in 2005 and intend to take things a little easier next year. However I will definitely be back in Princetown, (injuries permitting) in 2006. In fact I will probably gear all my training from now on into a last ditch attempt to finishing in the top ten. This is a brilliant event that I wouldn’t miss and would recommend to any runner looking for an achievable challenge. Yes it is quite tough but with a reasonable amount of training and a sensible approach on race day, a successful and enjoyable race will be had. In addition, the excellent organisation helps make for a great family day or weekend away.

For die-hards like me, the race is twinned with another ultra-marathon in Dunfermline, Scotland and to find out more on this read the next race report by Russ.

As a postscript and an indication of just how good the Dartmoor Discovery really is, Russ has also shown some enthusiasm for repeating this race next year – and believe me, when it comes to moaning and groaning and vowing never to run again when things are getting uncomfortable, Russ is out there on his own!!

Rob Ellis

For the record, Rob did the 32 miles in 4.27.35; Russ Mc Arthur was 99^th in 6.13.12 and John McArthur 100^th in 6.20.49. There were 123 finishers.

If you are inspired to join Rob and Russ in next year’s race, on Saturday 3^rd June, go to www.twobridgesrace.org and download an entry form!

City of London Square Mile Run 9^th June 2005 by Jim Hill

3 miles evening run in the City, through heavy traffic, pedestrians, pub forecourt tables and flower boxes!!!

NO OFFICIAL RESULTS ISSUED

7th MATT HILL LANGPORT RUNNERS        16.80

1720 entered (yes that’s 1720 entered, Matt reckons he could have won it except for a wrong turn around a London Bus!)

Quantock Beast Sunday July 3^rd 2005

Place	Time	Name	Team	Race Age Category	Number
1	0:35:32	RIGLER, Peter	Tipton Hrs	Senior Male	508
4	0:38:13	HILL, Matthew	Langport Rns	Senior Male	427
18	0:42:02	HILL, Christopher	Langport Rns	Senior Male	449
49	0:47:31	HILL, Jim	Langport Rns	Male Vet 50	428
99	0:56:12	ALLEN, Alice	Langport Rns	Female Vet 35	556
111	0:58:41	PARR, Mike	Langport Rns	Male Vet 70	551
123	1:02:05	BROOKHOUSE, Jane	Langport Rns	Female Vet 45	573
124	1:02:21	BYROM, Jenny	Langport Rns	Female Vet 45	580
126	1:03:23	MARTIN, Liz	Langport Rns	Female Vet 45	526
137	1:07:52	HUGHES, Jean	Langport Rns	Female Vet 55	458
138	1:08:40	HALL, Susan	Langport Rns	Female Vet 45	456
139	1:08:40	CHRASCINA, Nikki	Langport Rns	Female Vet 35	581
140	1:08:40	MCLAUGHLIN, Eric	Langport Rns	Male Vet 50	496

There were 143 finishers

In the team events the men’s team (Matt, Chris, Jim and Mike) were 6^th with 154 points and a total time of 3:06:27

The ladies team (Alice, Jane and Jenny) were 3^rd with 75 points and a total time of 3:00:38 and

The next ladies team (Liz, Jean and Sue) were 4^th with 102 points and a total time of 3:19:55

Mike Parr won the Elders Cup for the eldest finisher, for the second year running.

Wellington 10 Sunday 10^th July 2005

Place	Time	Name	Team	Race age category	Race number
1	0:59:53	LEWIS, Mark	Royal Navy AC	Senior Men	93
14	1:07:09	HILL, Matthew	Langport Rns	Senior Men	17
50	1:19:49	HILL, Jim	Langport Rns	Male Vet 50	16
107	1:53:19	HUGHES, Jean	Langport Rns	Female Vet 55	120
108	1:53:19	HALL, Susan	Langport Rns	Female Vet 45	119

There were 112 finishers

Yeovil Town RRC Summer 5K Race Series Number 4. 13th July

Position	Race No	Time	Name	Category	Club	Age	Pace min/km	Pace min/mile
1	141	00:15:15	FRANK BADDICK	MALE SENIOR	NORTH DEVON AC	85.0%	00:03:03	00:04:54
76	231	00:20:46	ANTHONY FORSTER	MALE 40+ VET	LANGPORT RUNNERS	69.4%	00:04:09	00:06:41
111	225	00:23:07	MARK CHANDLER	MALE 40+ VET	LANGPORT RUNNERS	58.3%	00:04:37	00:07:25
140	238	00:28:17	DEIRDRE HOWELLS	FEMALE 45+	LANGPORT RUNNERS	57.7%	00:05:39	00:09:06

There were 146 finishers

Haytor Heller10k fell race on Dartmoor July 17th 2005

1 NEIL HOLMES ERME VALLEY HARRIERS          40.24

73 JIM HILL LANGPORT RUNNERS                       1.01.00

185 finished. Last person timed 1.41.22

Seaview 17 July 31^st 2005

Position	Number	Name	Category	Club	Time
1	114	Paul Harper	M24	Great Western Runners	2.22.06
32	65	John Brain	M62	Langport Runners	3.17.57
90	57	Tracey Monaghan	F39	Langport Runners	4.47.10
91	64	Lis Foy	F49	Langport Runners	4.47.11
93	98	Kathryn Rowswell	F49	Langport Runners	4.47.13

There were 99 finishers

Haselbury Trail 10K August 3^rd 2005

Positon	Number	Name		Club	Time	Cat.
1	154	Pete Belcher		Royal Marines	0:38:24	1M
7	140	Christopher Hill	Langport Runners		0:41:38	M
8	193	Paul Holley	Axe Valley Runners		0:41:53	M