July 2010

For a complete results
listing view the
Results Index

Featured events this month:

• The Good, Bad & Ugly Relay
• 35th International Snowdon Race
• NSPCC Milton Keymes Half-Marathon
• Wasdale "Horseshoe" Fell Race
• Evesham 10k
• Wyre Forest Half-Marathon
• Birmingham Rowheath Midsummer 5k
• Stratford Summer 6

The Good, Bad & Ugly Relay - 28 July

* includes 5 min handicap

Good, Bad & Ugly Relay 2010 winners
l-r Rob Pool, Emily Ducker and Craig McNaney

35th International Snowdon Race - 24 July

Ben Nevis was this morning breathing a huge sigh of relief as it will not be possible for me to defeat the Scottish giant this month to make it a full house. Having conquered Scafell Pike two weeks ago, Snowdon was put to the sword today in the International Snowdon Race. This was the third year in a row I have competed in this event and I have managed to improve steadily each year, and more importantly for the last two have stayed on my feet.
From 1:41 (2008), to 1:38 (2009) to 1:35:50 today, my aim of one day doing sub 90 minutes for the 10 mile race to the summit from Llanberis will depend on one thing, a marked improvement in my climbing. This might sound odd given the nature of the race but for many the climbing is the easy part, it is the descending which requires the technique, skill and confidence. Having reached the summit 9 seconds quicker than last year in 64 mins and 178th position, I passed 34 people on the way down without being passed myself in what has to be said were horrible descending conditions of driving rain, low visibility and extremely slippery rocks underfoot, to finish 144th out of 500 starters. My aim of a top 100 finish and sub 90-minute time will depend on somehow me getting to the top in under an hour, a tough challenge but one I believe I can get nearer to.

This year's race can be viewed on the Sky cbannel S4C (remember to put subtitles on) it’s called Ras Yr Wyddfa. Iit might inspire you to enter!!!!

NSPCC Milton Keynes Half-Marathon - 18 July

Full results at www.mkhalfmarathon.org.uk

Wasdale "Horseshoe" Fell Race - 11 July

Ok, so 93rd place out of 121 finishers on the face of it doesn't sound too impressive does it, so why then does this result rank as my biggest achievement this year and even to date? Well for starters if I tell you that the Wasdale "Horseshoe" is renowned as one of the toughest fell races around, covering a distance of 21 miles and including well over 9000ft of ascent, including the peaks of Great Gable and Scafell Pike you can begin to understand why. But the story of this race doesn't end there Whilst most of the UK appeared to be basking in the glorious sunshine this weekend, Wastwater and its surrounding areas were experiencing slightly less seasonal weather (to say the least).

The rain started to fall at about 9.30pm on Friday, and it hadn't stopped by 11am on Saturday. When the race start time came around it was still raining, the wind had picked up and the clouds had descended in their masses - even I began to wonder what on earth I was doing entering this race. Now, I mentioned that I finished 93 out of 121. Well, 167 people actually started the race and I'm not sure the rest have been found yet. Bear in mind that most of these people (and I don't include myself here) are hardened fell runners from around those parts.

Of the six and a half hours it took me to complete the event, only half an hour of it was below the cloud line; it was a very lonely place to be up there as you couldn't see beyond a few metres ahead much of the time. A chap who finished half an hour ahead of me had this to say on a forum - "Appalling conditions of heavy rain & hail, gale force winds, clag, and vis down to 10m. Runners climbing extra tops & descending into wrong valleys. Bitterly cold and spooky running alone from black sail to gt gable summit. I was overtaken twice by one runner after 2 hours & 4 hours and somehow they still finished over 20 minutes behind me - they had the full tour de scafell massif experience! What a hoot but glad to get off these mountains in one piece! wilko "

The fact that I've written such a long report tells you how much I took from this experience, and believe me I could ramble on and on about it as it was an amazing event to do, made all the more memorable by the appalling conditions. Suffice to say I took on the challenge, I completed it and I am chuffed to bits with it. - Steady (apologies for waffling on!)

Evesham 10k - 11 July

I entered this race because I had heard that it was a really pretty course, and it didn't disappoint. Relatively flat with a large part run along the river I enjoyed this 10k. The homemade cakes on sale at the end were much appreciated and the weather, whilst possibly a little warm for racing, was perfect for mooching around Evesham afterwards. Unfortunately, the shops were a little disappointing (and mostly closed). This race will go on my list as one to do again. - Rebecca

Wyre Forest Half-Marathon - 11 July

In contrast to last year when we were slipping in ankle deep mud, this year it was bone dry and rock hard under foot in this scenic off road race. The hills were still the same though, starting with a 1 in 4 descent and finishing with ......a 1 in 4 ascent, with plenty of the same in between.
A fantastic race for anyone who likes a bit of "off roading" - Stephen

Rowheath Midsummer 5k - 8 July

A good turn out from Northbrook for a 5k that combined a Warwickshire Road League race with a championship race also. This clearly brought out quite a high standard of runner. It was a pleasant evening, although a little warm for the two lap race. The hill at the end of each lap seemed a lot steeper the second time round! Everyone seemed to have fun so it was nice to see so many Northbrookers making the journey and putting in the effort to wear the club vest. Well done everyone! - John Wilson

Stratford Summer 6 - 3 July

Full results at www.stratfordac.co.uk