First plaudits surely go to Tom Davies, gamely and with customary resolution starting a comeback from a multiplicity of injuries. Lesser mortals might have called a halt after a couple of laps. Not Tom, no way. He gritted his teeth to finish in 84:45. Fresh from completing his 50th Ludlow Parkrun only the previous day, Bryan Markham was 2nd MV75 in a very respectable time of 72:57. Bryan may have been the oldest in the field but he’s certainly not yet ready to be put out to grass.
Race reports often overlook good performances in the middle of the field, so let’s begin there. Dark horse Matt Moffatt, posted another tidy result, going well on soft ground, to finish in 35th position (45:05). Glyn Williams, who runs well in most conditions, was not far behind in 44th place (46:09). The B team was completed by Greg Jones (51st, 47:05), still learning the Herefordshire XC courses and Jasper Robinson, first Junior Male (66th, 48:55).
Losing the bragging rights to his son but still running well, Ashley Robinson led home the C team, finishing 1st MV65 (72nd, 49:48). A highlight of the day was a ‘breakthrough’ performance by Scott Hardie, tiring a little in the last mile but otherwise pacing himself well and picking up several places in the overall field with a strong finishing kick (73rd, 49:56). Scott was my marker throughout the race, helping to drag me into 3rd place in the MV60 category (75th, 50:02).
Bryn Roberts must be pleased with his run, finishing 15 places higher than in the previous race at Croft Ambrey, this time 80th(51:16). Ian Price was not quite at his usual high standard but still first MV70 in 53:02 (91st), while Guy Whitmarsh was 2nd MV70 in 55:57. Rob Wood finished in 56:42 (105th).
At the head of the field, Mark Lamonby led us home once again in 39:15 (7th). Unfortunately, Mark Thomas had to pull out but hopefully will be all the stronger at Queenswood, after Christmas. Simon Norwood (19th, 42:21) won a close battle in a group that included Jordan McQueen (21st, 42:25). Will Gore completed the A team (32nd, 44:21). It’s astounding to think that I actually beat Will in January 2018, when he completed the same course, in similar conditions in 49:43 – more than 5 minutes slower than this time. What an improvement in less than 12 months! For me of course it’s a painful lesson in youth versus age. One path leads upward, the other leads …
7 Mark Lamonby SM 39.15
19 Simon Norwood MV45 42.12
21 Jordan McQueen SM 42.25
32 Will Gore SM 44.21
35 Matt Moffatt MV40 45.05
44 Glyn Williams MV 45 46.09
51 Greg Jones MV45 47.05
66 Jasper Robinson JM 48.55 1st Junior Male
72 Ashley Robinson MV65 49.48 1st MV65
73 Scott Hardie SM 49.56
75 Neil Taylor MV60 50.02 3rd MV60
80 Bryn Roberts MV45 51.16
91 Ian Price MV70 53.02 1st MV70
103 Guy Whitmarsh MV70 55.57 2nd MV70
105 Rob Wood MV60 56.42
119 Bryan Markham MV75 72.57 2nd MV75
120 Tom Davies MV70 84.45
NB: Website randomly chooses size of photos, please click (then click again) on photo to see in full size – Sam.
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