Parrett Report and Other stuff

From Matt, Parrett Trail and Wessex XC

The Parrett Trail Relay – Saturday 12^th Oct

The event was won by Exmouth Harriers man’s team, a dominant team who pulled off a double when their ladies team won the all-female version. It was good to see a bit of variety when Chard’s mixed team won the 2-ladies and 4-men race.

However, the REAL race was always going to be between the four YTRRC teams (we’ll concentrate on JUST out lot from now on), and with replacement leg runners being found on the Friday evening before the race, it was anyone’s guess who was in what team. Matt seemed to have a plan but was keeping it all very secret!

Leg 1 – This is a flat leg measuring a winding 9.8 miles - Saturday morning broke with some uncertainty and four intrepid Leg 1 runners set of for the coast. After a slight delay (timing not being a strong point) and many complaints of how cold the wall was that they were sat on waiting...a car was dropped off at the end and everyone was ferried to start with many complaints of “where is the loo?”

Gradually, more sleepy but lycra-clad, thin people turned up and assembled themselves into a ragged line at the start, just as the slight mist became a fine rain. Pete Jakeman took the lead while Matt Driver tested out just how much it hurt to run with a broken rib. Barry Harriss settled into position with Kat Hurford chasing along behind. Soon, Matt overtook Pete but a charging Barry went past them both. Barry took the win to put team “Pub Runners” into a three minute lead, ahead of Matt’s “Club Nighters” who were just 2½ mins ahead of Pete’s “Track Racers”. Kat was rather unhappy to see mile 9 go past on her Garmin with no sign of the finish ahead, but pressed on and gave us a sprint finish display on behalf of the “Fast Ladies MKII”.

It appears while the sun shines on the righteous, something went wrong for leg 1 as the rain just got heavier and heavier...but no-one on other legs have even mentioned it!

Note, Barry should be congratulated on a very good time for this leg! Meanwhile Kat says “It has given me a kick up the arse to get back into running...I'm thinking I will do Leg 1 again next year and make up for my disastrous run this year!”

Leg 2 – Another flat, but fast leg measuring 5½ miles - Having declared himself ill on Friday, Orlando realised the intent of Matt’s replying e-mail and staggered to the start line. Once there he found Stephanie Brearey, a bemused new-comer who had got roped into the race only a week before having turned up on a Tuesday to see what all the fuss was about! Malcolm Maxted was also there, a stalwart of previous years and happy to show everyone the route, except they couldn’t keep up!. Another relative newcomer was Neil Miller.

From the start, it was clear that Orlando wasn’t 100% so he contented himself with keeping Stephanie company...what a gent, you might think...not a chance, while running through Bridgewater, a bag-lady on the tow-path took offence at Stephanie and, jumping up, attempted to push her in the river! Recovering, and trying to get away from the woman Stephanie completed the leg for the “Fast Ladies” a second ahead of Orlando “Track Runners”. Ahead Neil “Club Nighters” had dashed along pulling out a 7½ minute lead on Malcolm “Pub Runners”. This meant Club Nighters led by five minutes!

Neil should be mentioned in dispatches for a very speedy leg and in doing so had put his team into 1^st place ahead of the Pub Runners. Track Racers were third and sadly our Fast Ladies were struggling to match the men...

Leg 3 – Yet another flat leg following the river and measuring 7.7 miles – More Brooke family entrants in the guise of Nick and Flora, joined by Georgina Richards who only took up the sport at the beginning of the year, and club night volunteer Tim Howes.

As is his way, Nick set off like a thorough-bred and swept away into the distance with Tim doing his best to keep up for as long as possible, but while Flora has trotted along this route before, it was a new experience for Georgina. As Flora said “the miles just galloped by” and soon the winning post was in sight. Nick had pulled out an 8 minute gap for “Track Racers” over Tim in the “Club Nighters” team, who had done well enough to keep his team in the lead. Flora’s efforts brought the “Pub Runners” in ahead of Georgina and the “Fast Ladies”.

While Flora is quoted as saying “I actually really enjoyed the day, especially with no mud to speak of”, husband Nick’s effort’s should be praised on this leg as he ran a storming time getting Track Racers into second place and overhauling the Pub Runners.

Leg 4 – The last of the flat legs with confusing directions, but also measures 7.7 miles – With Pete Darton on the “Track Racers” team, would this be their moment? Any mistakes could mean a swim across the river as everyone gets tangled up around the junction of three rivers! Luckily, an uneventful leg as they raced along the river, through Langport and on. Pete Darton was only one of two overall, to finish this leg in under an hour and you would think it would finally lift the Track Racers into 1^st YTRRC place...but no! Cameron Rafferty who had volunteered to run on just the Tuesday previous, also ran well to keep Club Nighters at the top of the tree. 

Anna Lloyd should get a gold star for her sterling work and excellent time as she closed the overall gap for the Fast Ladies, as Phil MacQuaid meandered his way to the finish line.

Leg 5 – Hilly at last! 9½ miles but includes the steep way over Ham Hill – A story of two men and two women, a couple and...well an unrelated pair...Anyway, indomitable relay runners (from the Wessex Ridgeway Relay) Stan Tedford, Chris Hurrell and Deb Hurrell, together with Lynne Thumpston, YTRRC were in good hands. 

Across the freshly harvested fields, as the river shrinks to a stream, around the back of Martock and then the dreaded wall of the front of Ham Hill and straight up to the monument. Don’t forget to pass the checkpoint (or else disqualified for cheating) and back down the back of the Hill...unless you’re Deb Hurrell, in which case you take a slight detour! Days later (bit of exaggeration), Debs is welcomed in at the finish. 

Meanwhile Chris has blasted along increasing the lead of Club Nighters while Stan has played it cagey and kept the gap to a minimum keeping Track Racers in the hunt, while Lynne, running for the pub runners has kept the Fast Ladies at bay. Congratulations to all on this leg as its a tough one with no big finish. However, why is it only at this point Stan wondered how to get back to his car at the start?!?

Leg 6 – Talking of big finishes! This is the glory leg. 8.6 miles ending with a long drag up the mountain to the pub while everyone cheers you in. – The river is now becoming a trickle as you run along wooded glades in the sunshine. What could be better? Well at after 1:00pm its rather warm now and the various hills make the temperature soar and the sweat run faster than you are!

Lewis Bacon struggled to stay upright and took a dramatic tumble in a field of corn much to the amusement of the fellow competitors! But back on his feet he runs a great time to be first YTRRC at the pub for the Track Racers. He’s in time to see Sarah Finney take the “monster hill” in her stride and give the Fast Ladies a good chance having had support on the course to help with her “poor sense of direction”! 

John Curtis has enjoyed the conditions and with a minimum of wheezing clambers up the hill to bring his team of Club Nighters home, but unfortunately has let Nikki Guiver give him the slip as she’s beaten him up the hill for the Pub Runners.

You will realise by now that Matt’s plans for glory in the overall race had gone awry with our teams having to be swapped around to accommodate late changes in personnel. To quote Sarah Finney’s comments on the experience “However, the best bit was being part of a team and representing 'probably the best running club in the world'! And to top it all off what an amazing prize - you can never go wrong with a trusty fanny pack (hey Guy Williams!). Meanwhile Barry Harriss said “I admire Matt’s optimism...” Overall we finished 5^th, 6^th, 20^th and 22^nd from 24 teams.

And now the important bit...For YTRRC, Track Racers won by 10 minutes, Club Nighters were second with (after a bit of a gap) Pub Runners 13 minutes ahead of the Fast Ladies. Two important things, Matt’s team beat Phil’s and everyone seemed to enjoy it. 

Thanks to all and goodnight!

Cross Country – Wessex League

YTRRC – Currently sixth Ladies team, and ninth Mens team.

This morning, we all met up at YTFC and drove over to Salisbury for a quick sprint around Hudson’s Fields. Men do two small and two big laps, while the ladies go slightly shorter not having to do the last big lap.

After a very stressful registration where Matt had everybody’s details fly away in the wind...numbers were pinned on and the whistle went “peep!” We don’t have starting guns or horns when in such select company!

Anyway, Cameron Rafferty was the lead YTRRC runner with Matt Driver desperately hanging on behind, with Pete Jakeman and Jon Crane racing along further back. It was good to see Brian Mountjoy-Rowe out competing again too. In the ladies race it was nip and tuck between Emily Fort and Laura Coppard, with Joanna Henley and Debbie Keeble chasing hard.

In the end, Matt and Jon battled to the last with Jon out pacing Matt who got his fast-finish tactics completely wrong by getting impatient. Pete was third YTRRC while Cameron found the pace a little too hot and dropped back a bit. Brian ran well and surprised everybody with a good average pace and a fast finish. Unfortunately, men race at the same time as the ladies, so at the time of going to press, Laura or Emily might have been first YTRRC lady (?), after that came Debbie and Joanna to complete the team for YTRRC. Debbie’s Briony also completed the Under 13’s race as a guest...we’ll sign her up in a few years!

Results to come, as they always take a bit longer...see website below for times and standings:

XC Link

Well done to everyone who did the Great South Run - Results Below

EDWARD GIBBS                  1095 YTRRC 194         01:05:39 Chip Time
GUY WILLIAMS                  10471 YTRRC 610         01:11:36 Chip Time
PAUL ROADNIGHT         4159 YTRRC 1560 01:17:16 Chip Time
KATHARINE DOWNTON 16946 YTRRC 7407 01:34:53 Chip Time
LYNNE THUMPSTON        10746 YTRRC 7408 01:34:53 Chip Time
AIMEE DEENEY                 11355 YTRRC 8527 01:37:54 Chip Time
CLARE LANGDON        14861 YTRRC 8711 01:38:26 Chip Time
LIZ DIAMOND                 10445 YTRRC 13247 01:52:51 Chip Time
DAVID GILLARD                 10446 YTRRC 10324 01:42:39 Chip Time
AMII LORAINE ELESERIO 22811 YTRRC 15648 02:11:52 Chip Time

Clare Finishing the Great South

Aimee Deeney said :

Knowing what its like on GSR day in Portsmouth we left southampton with a very generous 2 1/5 hours to spare and literally just made it. Ed was still on his way to the start as his wave left and I was just in time to line up. However despite this we both had a great day. Ed came in in 1:05:39 and I managed to knock 2mins off my pb at 1:37:54, despite the wind on last 2 tough miles! Really pleased but oh so sleepy now. Shame I didn't manage to spot more of my fellow green and whites - just too many people!

Dave Gillard said - Completed Great South Run this morning in 1hr 42mins. It was a bit windy. I had in my mind that anything under 1hr 45mins would be good, so really pleased with my time as that's only the second time I have run that distance and its the first race I've competed in.

And one of my favorite races, The Stickler, was this weekend

Well done to the lucky ones who did it, the hills are awesome, I WILL return. Report to follow if someone send one in ...Please

In from Captain lesley

The Stickler – 10.1 miles of hills, mud, gravel and, of course, gale force winds! Despite that it was a lovely run with a good turnout of YTRRC runners, namely Nick & Flora Brooke, Fred & Sue Fox, Simon Rowbottom, Andy Brown, Graham Watts, Linda Membury and Lesley Nesbitt. Still awaiting the results but according to Dorset Doddlers website they will be published soon on Stickler. 

You’ll be there next year Terry!" I hope so Lesley

This in from Guy, help preserve our road races, please read!

Just wanted to put this out ref next Sunday's Club run. As you may be aware the Illminster 10k was cancelled due to Somerset Council adding over £600 for the road closure. This has been running for 20 years I think. So to show support Taunton, Chard, Langport and Crewkerne running clubs are going to run it anyway as a social run. YTRRC have also been asked as well so who is up for this? I will get the meeting place and time from Christopher Wadey. We could always run there do the 10k and run back for a long run.

It is not so much the 10k being cancelled but Somerset Council as this will effect all races that need to have road closures. We can always share lifts there from Goldenstones.

That's it for this week, have a good one and don't forget the dinner is coming up

Everything else on our super web site, club website

See you all soon

Terry