We fielded three
teams (18 runners) in the epic challenge that is the Wessex
Ridgeway 100k Relay. This event really drew the best out of all
those involved. Our two men’s team finished in the top 10, Mark
Hitchcott, Tim Harris, Steve Guy, Craig Dixon, Graham Whiffen and Daryl
Davies – fourth in 8:48:31, and Jeff Hinsley, Tim Box, Peter
Wood, Richard Davies, Jon Braund and Phil Burgess – tenth in 10:08:40.
Speed alone will not bring you success here. So much of it is about good
preparation and teamwork and there were some tremendous performances
from WACers.
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Jon storms into Up Cerne |
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WAC ladies'
team
- mission accomplished |
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Jools 'in the zone' at Up Cerne |
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The girls’ team
was made up of the experienced trio of Cathy Hartle, Sue Harrogate and
Debbie Whittle with three newer runners – Jools Maskell, Claire Newby
and Kelly Nugent. There were a few setbacks along the way, but the team
spirit was immense, this was reinforced as the day progressed. The
course has no marshals (except at the start, halfway and finish), and it
is so easy to take a wrong turn, especially when you have been on the go
since 7am. The girls’ first Legs went
according to plan, the weather was good, dry and a little sunny but not
too warm and the conditions were perfect. By the second or third leg
they had bonded and a good team spirit was developing, with everyone
meeting up at the changeovers to see the runner in and set the next leg
off and then travel on to the next point. Despite being near the back
of the field the team kept their spirits up and it was looking like the
race was going to be completed with the minimum of mishaps until Jools
managed to get slightly ‘lost’ on Leg 11. Cathy – having done two legs
already, and in borrowed trainers – finished off Jools’ Leg and passed
the baton onto Kelly to complete the race. She set off like the wind, by
the time she appeared at the end she had made up some time, and also
done several miles on a sprained ankle.
It is the third time that WAC have fielded a Women’s team for the
Ridgeway and this was our best WAC Ladies performance so far. The team
finished 20th with a time of 12h11m09s, a healthy improvement
on WAC’s previous best girls’ time of 13h18m59s. Everyone in the team
learnt an awful lot about the event, and about themselves on the day.
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Craig arrives at
Venn Chapel |
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Graham at
Coney's Castle |
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Jon & Phil - a perfect handover
for the final leg |
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Kelly scorches away
from Coney's Castle |
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The days after
this race produced a flurry of e-mails. Here are a few thoughts from our
team members:
‘I have one
fat and bruised ankle! Was very much worth it though, I thoroughly
enjoyed the day and I think everyone did really well – bring on next
year.’ Kelly.
‘We are all
pretty excited about doing it again but I can’t say I plan to have a
reunion with Leg 2’. Claire
‘Got to be the event of the year!
Worldwide!’ Phil
Just possibly
Phil might be exaggerating.
Jools Maskell & Ian Kennedy
