The Ridgeway - The True Story

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Wessex Ridgeway 2013

This weekend was the Annual General Meeting of the Watch Setting Club of Great Britain. Pete Jakeman is a great fan of the event and loves to stand idly by making sure everyone sets their watch at the correct time!

Meanwhile, at the Wessex Ridgeway Relay of 2013...

The race was started by a mad dog giving a race briefing while a bloke in hi-vis tried to drown out the barking with his voice (or vice versa). No-one cared much until he said “Go” and they did.

Gareth Ashmead and Nick Brooke took the lead legs for their respective YTRRC teams, dressed resplendently in Green and White (a good omen for the rest of the sporting world). Gareth and Nick are shown here in fine form mainly because they’ve only run three yards! Unfortunately, the picture is spoilt by a rogue Maiden Newton runner (Phil England).

This initial leg takes runners from Tollard Royal in Hampshire, over Ashmore and on to Iwerne Courtney, where the hand-over went relatively smoothly. Nick had a minute or so on Gareth, meaning Phil MacQuaid was away running earlier than Deb Neal. Leg two is a real tough leg with Hambledon Hill to go over, followed by the mountainous North face of Okeford Hill.

Deb reached the summit first and was able to hand over to Rob Jones who took a while to set off as he had an autograph to sign from a small boy from the 1950’s (jumpers for goalposts, etc.).

Some people think Phil and Pete Jakeman are joined at the hip...and here’s the proof. Meanwhile, the 1950’s lad has been adopted as club mascot!

Pete set off after Rob with around a minute to make up. Leg 3 is a relatively easy leg, although because of this you run harder and so make it difficult, while knowing the team are relying on you means you run harder all the more! Pete did run hard and closed on Rob who was struggling with his focus. How does a long distance runner keep his mind on the job in hand when all around are distractions like the beautiful view of the Dorset countryside?

Before the top of Bulbarrow, spectators are given the chance to call out encouraging messages, check the runners are OK and generally give well-earned support, on the other hand, they can be a bunch of heckling misfits who really shouldn’t be allowed out on their own!

However, Pete had run hard on the descent from Bulbarrow, and across the fields tried to lose Rob. Rob was running like a man possessed and chased as hard as he could.

The effort was plain to see at the end as both runners were truly worn out.

Seeing previous runners putting in so much effort makes the minibus a strange place to be as everyone yet to run gets more nervous as their turn approaches.  The sandwich you made at 4:00 am doesn’t look so appetising as the stomach churns around.

Guy “Bungy” Williams and Stan Tedford had the enjoyment of leg 4 starting at a barn in the middle of nowhere. The route sharply rises to pass through Dorset Gap and out over a hill fort and a Folly near Ball Hill. 

Tortuous climbing ends with a short sprint downhill to the changeover South of Buckland Newton. Bungy was so quick the cameraman didn’t stand a chance...John “JC” Curtis was off and away before anyone knew what had happened, then lo’ and behold, Stan appeared in a blur and at an angle to hand over to Chris Hurrell.

Although not taking in the Cerne Abbas Giant, the next leg is a giant of a route. Two massive hills and a confusing junction of paths make this a very problematical leg. Chris had fallen foul of the directions the year before and unfortunately JC had a minor error this year. Minor it may have been, but the gap between the YTRRC teams had opened. No photos for this bit as I was busy checking for rare Orchids (see Rich Dodge and Facebook for proof)!

My leg (Matt Driver) is from the top of Batcombe, past the snooty horse riders and down into a valley before a horrendous climb back up to the A37 (Yeovil/Dorchester). I had a lead over Richard Dodge and over close rivals Maiden Newton, but didn’t know how much so hell for leather I went for it. Only to realise twelve minutes later that I had gone off too fast...perennial problem! However, both Rich and I made it to hand over to Nick and Gareth for their second legs. Both ran well again picking off runners from other teams and moving up the leader board as the skies darkened and the first drops of rain appeared.

Deb and Phil had the worst of the rain, but even this light shower was a blessing for the heat generated form climbing even more hills. I’ve seen Deb before after this leg and wasn’t too worried by the look on her face this year...

Rob and Pete did the nasty “Beaminster Bit” which takes in the monstrous Gerrard’s Hill, Roman Fort and then Lewesdon Hill, before the half mile downhill sprint to the next changeover. Realising their team was stretching ahead of the others, and closing down on a decent overall score, competitiveness went through the roof! No talking on changeovers and professional to the end Rob and Stan were role models...if there were any young athletes out there watching this was the perfect changeover.

Stan continued in this vein putting in an exemplary performance, he was even flying at one point, but Gareth and Rob missed it because they were looking the wrong way!

Bungy kept chasing over the nightmarish Pilsdon Pen which has an unbelievable climb to the top, and while the following ridge is relatively pleasant, the next ridge has to be climbed too!

JC and Chris went up and over Lamberts Hill Fort and on to Coney Castle with massive views of the Dorset and Devon coasts to either side.

Finally, leg twelve begins and Matt was able to chase hard on the Axe Valley team ahead. A mile on and they had been overtaken, so all that lay in the way was Penn Hill and the valley path into Uplyme.

Unfortunately, Matt was more pleased to see Deb Hurrell than Deb Hurrell was to see a sweaty knackered Matt.

Richard Dodge had run hard and fast to keep the time respectable for the other YTRRC team and was doubly pleased to know YTFC had won promotion! Apologies for not having photos of everyone, or indeed everyone’s story.

Overall, a fantastic day out for the YTRRC runners, who all had a buzz about the event and their own particular story to tell about how it had gone for them. However, sausages, beans, mash, chocolate cake, and a warm pub put everyone to sleep.

From the hand of Captain Matt, all complaints to him, the Blog accepts no responsibility for.... well anything really!!

See you all soon and well done to all

The Old Croc!