YTRRC at the Bristol Half Marathon 2013

Bristol Half Marathon 2013

Well the Drizzle In Brizzle did actually stay away! A fine and early morning start to this Sunday as the runners assembled at the football club to fall asleep on the bus again. On this the 25th Anniversary of the Half Marathon we had 25 runners all set on the coach. Everyone still a bit weary eyed the bus set off for Bristol shortly after 7am. Big thanks to bus driver Dave for getting us safely to and back from Bristol.

Once arrived in Bristol we all quickly dispersed to our relevant bag drop areas. Now fighting a crowd of over 10,000 we very quickly lost sight of one another as different people had different start times. The early morning buzz of the runners village was taking shape and the smell of vaseline was strong. Now approaching the 09:30am start time for some, it was time to head to the start.

We all kept our eyes peeled for the green and white shirts and three YTRRC runners were all ready to support one another. Some of the faster runner who enjoy a pasty or two were making new friends with the Kenyans. With the roads all shut and the time now 09:30am wave one were now on there way.
The good thing about the Bristol route is you can see other runners coming along the Portway. Either ahead or behind you. Tim Hawkins, Guy Williams and Matt Driver were the first runners to head back towards the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Now with wave two under way we kept an eye out on the other side of the road. It was fantastic to see friends of the club all running together as we supported each other over the 13.1mi race. It was amazing to see a mass of runners dotted with green and white. The cheers of 'go Yeovil' certainly carried me over the halfway point. Shortly after the halfway point you enter a small tunnel. Well someone had to do it from Yeovil, with whatever lung capacity I had in me an "Oggy Oggy Oggy" was unleashed. So loud was this, a septactors dog went a bit bizzurke and Anna Lloyd now was defended in one ear.

Another reason which made this event was because of Rob Jones. He may have been injured but still made the effort to get up early and support the rest of the team. It was great to see him and his partner just after the 8 mile marker. Another boost for YTRRC whilst trying to accomplish the half marathon distance.

Now entering the final three miles of the race it is impossible to know whereabouts all runners are on course. Myself and Anna were now a team working together. The target was 1hr 40mins we were, just, about on course. The human calculator was working overtime!

We had 1/2 a mile to go, there is a green and white vest ahead of us of Paul Roadnight and by this point Guy Williams was on his second pasty and Matt Driver was on the whisky! It had been a tough day out for Mr Driver, obviously. 

Provisional Results of Yeovil Town RRC at Bristol Half Marathon 2013:

Guy Williams 01:31:49

Darrell Sheen 01:31:53

Matt Driver 01:31:59

Gareth Ashmead 01:32:29

Robert Adams 01:37:39

Paul Roadnight 01:38:09

Anna Lloyd 01:39:50

James Day 01:39:50

James Stott 01:48:56

Mark Larcombe 01:49:26

Jane Mills 01:51:33

Simon Hobbs 01:51:50

Ankit Bharadia 01:53:33

Andrew Brown 01:59:08

Katrina Jones 02:01:03

Katharine Downton 02:03:11

Brian Lane 02:04:54

Joanna Henley 02:07:17

Karen Mellish 02:08:20

Anita Rufus 02:10:15

Caroline Clarke 02:15:04

Karen Edwards 02:16:48

Melanie Ditch 02:16:48

Kay Wilson White 02:24:37

Tara Flossy Lander 02:24:57

Kimberly Weston 02:28:50

All runners home safe and sound. I'm sure there are PB's amongst these results, but for now I think a huge WELL DONE to you all. I hope you all enjoyed the day and it's great to hear your comments via our Facebook page.
In true YTRRC style Sunday runs wouldn't be complete without the traditional tea and cake. Many thanks to Lynne Thumpston who had this all in hand ready for the bus journey home.

I think as a club, this event has been well organised and most importantly well supported by all runners. I think we all owe a huge big Thank You to Anita, Guy and James for organising this event. Word has it we're going to do it all again for 2014, keep an eye on Facebook and blog for details. For now, enjoy your big silver medal, a hot bath and maybe a early night!

King Alfred's Torment

Next Sunday, September 22nd Phil MacQuaid is looking for helpers. On the Saturday he is looking for volunteers to lay out the course at 09:00hrs. It's all walking so it is suitable for all. On race day we need 34 people for admin, start/finish areas and marshaling. There is usually a run of the course around 08:00hrs on the Sunday morning.

Summer 5K Series

Unfortunately, I have been unable to open the attachment sent in by Brian Mountjoy-Row. Hope to bring you news of this next week!

Wessex Cross Country League

Tim Hawkins is entering a team for this seasons cross country. Tim is going to pre-enter everyone who ran last year. Any other members wish to take part you can do so by entering on the day. Contact Time for more details.

Ham Hill Hash

This has been sent in by Martin Chaffey. "The Club’s offshoot the Ham Hill Hash House Harriers celebrates its 10th anniversary at its next hash on Sunday 29th September from the Fleur de Lis, Stoke sub Hamdon at 11am. This will also be the last regular monthly hash for the time being – so if you have hashed with us at any time over the past ten years, please feel free to come along so we can go out with a bang! Please let me know if you are coming so I can estimate numbers for pub and beer stop purposes!!"

Thank you for what has been yet another very busy blog and weekend. I hope you have enjoyed it! James Day

YTRRC back home after the Bristol Half Marathon 2013