The Dorset Invader Weekend

The Dorset Invader Weekend

Well the weekend finally arrived and a few turn up at East Farm on Friday ready for the Half on Saturday Morning. Jo seemed to be happy anyway.

  

Then Saturday morning a few more turned up and the Sun was turned on and we got ready for the Half. 

The start was just your normal run of the mill start with a 5 year old boy on a pony and his dad dressed as a Centurion on a nervous horse.

 

Soon we were off and Race Director Andy Palmer turn up the Sun and we followed the horse. 

Well into the race you hit the Love Station and the Cider and Vodka Snaps (water and fruit is also available).

 

The day got a little bit hotter as we started to hit the finish line.

Helen Nesbitt was the first Club runner over the line and Dave Tinsley was first male. A great race and well worth more of the Club coming down for it. 

After the Half was the Chaos in the Evening and a bit of fun. First there was the take off your shoes and put one in each of the two sacks and then the van took them up the hill while we did the warm up, a conga with about 200 people through the Roman Bath and up the Hill. Then we started the race which was up the hill to find your shoes and then round around the Farm up a track and then round the field, through the wood and then you were given another number different from yours and you had to either find or wait till that number turned up. You were then plasticuffed to that runner / child and then ran down the hill to the finish for the medal and lollypop, simple.

Saturday came to an end and it was time for bed with our sunburn and for some the Marathon, the Sunday runners turned up and the field soon filled up with more runners for the main event the Marathon and also my 100th (102, but that's another story). 

The start was the same as Saturday, a couple of horses, a little boy and his dad again. We set off and the nice Race Director turned the Sun up again (such a nice man). This time Helen stayed on course and didn't run around the barn in the wrong direction like she did the day before. The route was the same as the Half  up to the Love Station and then we went off in another direction for the second loop. 

As the day went on the Sun got hotter and WSR decided to add in a impromptu water stop and this saved a load of people from overheating or getting more dehydrated. On to the results and Paul Card was the first over the line for the club and Helen Nesbitt was our first lady. As the day wore on we still had four runners out there in the heat and it was well over the 7 hour mark so a long time in the heat on a tough course. Eventually the famous four appeared over the hill, I have seen Paul Meadows at a few marathons and also in the heat in Malaga and the Somerset Levels not to mention Ham to Lyme and he is normally slightly pale and looking the worse for ware but he crossed the line looking very fresh and ready for another lap. 

Well done all a hard day at the office.

 

Eventually I crossed the line with Pete for my official 100th, it was a great feeling but was glad to have finished due to the heat and being dehydrated. 

It was great to see other Club members come down just for celebration of my 100th, also to Helen and Sean for making some awesome cakes.

  It was a great day and one I will not forget, thanks to Paul Allen for the presentation of the 100th Marathon Club T-Shirt. 

All that remains is to thank all Yeovil Town RRC club members for being such a great social Club that support all levels of running standards, I might be the first YTRRC runner to reach 100 marathon but I think it will not be long till our first lady is there, the question is will it be Helen or Lynne.  

The Piece of Cake

From Chris:

Kate and I traveled to Shropshire this weekend for a half and marathon respectively, 'The Piece of Cake' ran by 'How hard can it be' is set in the national trust owned area which starts and finishes at Carding Mill Valley. In typical runners style anything call piece if cake or easy in the title you know it's not going to be, but I wasn't expecting quite so tough. The marathon is two laps, and the the first 4 miles of each lap is basically all uphill, and totally energy sapping by two mile point, I was pulling out the hiking poles to get me up that hill, the next couple of miles were downhill, but was this a relief, well it made up some time followed by another 3 and bit miles of climbing and a bit of flat on top the hills where the views were as far as they eye could see, last two miles of the lap were all down the craggy valley back to the start area. In total the marathon had over 1200mtrs of climbing and no wonder 20 people pulled out of the marathon at the halfway point, if i hadn't had the poles I'd certainly not have finished the course, the climbs were relentless, but when finished you knew you'd worked for that medal. I'd recommend making the trip and doing one of Denzil's events, don't expect a PB, but you will enjoy it and work your arse off.

Parrett Trial

From Rob:

The Parrett Trail relay race is fast approaching, this years is to be held on Saturday 8th October, last year our club did very well, we had five teams, it would be great if we could achieve the same this year with at least one ladies, men's and mixed team!
The route follows a beautiful course along the Parrett Trail from estuary to rivers source over seven sections. 
Please chat amongst your friends with a view to forming a team, volunteer to be a team captain or simply state your interest in being in a team. 
More information can be found at: The Parrett Trail

Club Events

1. Tuesday Club Night is at YTFC 6:30pm 19th July

2.  The next Championship Race is Sun 24th 20 ml Exmoor Seaview 10.00 am

3. The Pub run on Thursday is from The Castkebrook Compton Dundon at 6:30pm.

4. The Sunday Long Runs will be from Goldenstones at 9:00 am.