Hay hotfooters always put on well-organised and interesting events and this is their version of a challenging road race over a distance of 11.33 miles. Alan Harrhy, the club’s entertaining MC for the day described it at the presentation ceremony as “a race you only run twice – the first time and the last time”. A hearty half dozen Crofters decided to test themselves on a course that climbed all the way up to the Black Mountain peaks, passing below Twmpa (Lord Hereford’s Knob – titter ye not) and Hay Bluff before descending steeply on tired legs back to civilisation.
Mark Lamonby, having just returned from warm weather training in Cyprus stuffed up with a Mediterranean cold, survived the course well to finish 6th in 80.58. When asked for a comment on the race, Mark’s monosyllabic and exhausted response was “Hard”. Martin “Slim” Williams (he should be a country and western singer with a name like that) was again in peak form and knocked almost 5 minutes off his 2012 time on the tough course where he battled throughout with Mick Ligema. Martin finally sped away on the steep downhill section approaching the finish and crossed the line with his habitual sprint in 14th place and 3rd MV45. Mick, at the ripe old age of 57, proved that he is still in good hill running shape by finishing 17th in 84.56 and took the MV55 award.
Andrew Davies has enjoyed a brilliant first year in the sky blue Croft colours with some excellent results, but this proved to be a race too far as race overload caused him to suffer on the return journey after a promising start. Andrew finally finished 26th in 88.45. Hopefully, a period of rest and relaxation will allow him to recharge his batteries and return to his best form with renewed enthusiasm. Jon Briggs, racing further than he had ever previously attempted (what a baptism) finished with a big smile on his face in the top half of the field in 32nd position in a time of 91.55. Frank Luscott, a prolific road racer, completed the Croft team finishing 36th in 93.59 in another impressive display that placed him 3rd MV55.
70 hardy runners completed the race with Hereford based Jon Barnes (Cheltenham Harriers) winning in a time of 70.50 with Lou Summers (Mynydd Du) winning the female race in 87.10.
There are a few photos of Croft runners at the finish in the Gallery with lots more available on the Hay Hotfooters website.