Report by Mike B.
‘Tis a sure sign that we are about to wave goodbye to summer when the final event in the annual Croft Ambrey R.C. handicap series is completed. The speed and endurance blessed swallows are busy packing their featherweight baggage in preparation for their arduous flight to sub-Saharan Africa after what must have been a disappointing summer holiday in the UK, whilst their corresponding swallow emblem bearing Croft runners will be reflecting on an energetic summer’s racing and tough challenges and now planning for the different demands of winter racing. Many of the club’s runners had tested themselves, once a month, in the time-honoured traditional series of handicap races where they compete against both the clock and their fellow team mates. 32 runners turned out for this final race in the 2024 series and many of them rounded off the season with some outstanding performances.
Alison Benwell, with only 3 runners starting in front of her, soon sensed that she had a chance of finishing the season with a glorious victory. Inspired by this goal and motivated by the prospect of collecting the winner’s choccie prize, Alison concentrated her eyes on the prize without peering in her rear view mirror, but always conscious of the prospect of hearing the distinct sound of rapidly approaching footsteps to the rear. No such threat emerged and her winning margin was 24 seconds as she galloped across the finish line. Not only was Alison rewarded with her confectionary award but she was also thrilled to record a huge PB by almost a minute and a half.
Well shiver me timbers, there in 2nd place with the wind in his sails was Cap’n Stuart Austin. Sporting his new trim-the-sails haircut, his streamlined features navigated the overtaking of 18 fellow crew members as he set about chasing the leader with the menace of a hunting shark but he ran out of nautical time in the pursuit of the speedy Benwell clipper.
Completing the top 3 and recording the fastest time of the night was the in-form Gareth Leek. Despite completing the arduous 19 mile Stretton Skyline fell race just a couple of days previously, Gareth flew past 25 other Crofties to complete a successful summer season on all surfaces. Close behind Gareth was the fastest female runner of the night Mia Davies running her first Bircher event of the year. Undeterred by her relative lack of recent training, due to pressures of work, Mia still registered an impressive time that was just 32 seconds shy of her own course record.
5 other runners concluded their handicap series seasons with impressive PBs and they can all be delighted with their improvement throughout the summer.
The extraordinary Guy Whitmarsh again demonstrated that age is no barrier to excellence as he broke his own MV80 course record. We wish him well in his venture to tackle the World Mountain Running Champs as he challenges himself and other fellow rugged runners in the Pyrenees in a couple of weeks.
The handicap series also incorporates an award for the lowest points total recorded, according to finishing positions, throughout the 6 races with the best positions in 5 of those races to count. 20 runners completed at least 5 of those races, with 8 featuring in all 6 – that is dedication. There was a clear winner and Alison Davies was crowned as handicap series champion for the 2nd successive year. Winning the series is a demonstration of consistently high achievement and improvement throughout the series – both on the roads of Leinthall Starkes and the hills of Bircher Common – and Alison’s deserved victory is a reward for determined and spirited running. Gareth Leek finished as runner-up in the series with Frank Luscott an elated 3rd.
So ends another successful handicap series – the 34th, I think. We have witnessed some outstanding performances and many of the club’s members can be thrilled with their achievements. Worthy of extra-special mention, however, must be the magnificent course records, both at Leinthall Starkes and on Bircher Common, set by the awe-inspiring Sam Juson. These record-setting feats were both magical moments in the honourable and distinguished history of Croft Ambrey Running Club.
Finally, an enormous thank you to all the helpers and volunteers who have assisted throughout the series. Your efforts are highly valued and much appreciated by all involved.
