Report by Guy
The results have been delayed by problems with the dibbers, apparently, but anyway here is a report on the race. There were junior races first, attracting a good number of keen youngsters. On arriving a bit late delayed by a large lorry that struggled to make its way along single track lanes, I joined a queue, checking that it wasn’t for the portaloos. It did indeed turn out to be the line for numbers, whether or not you’d pre-registered. As I got nearer the registration gazebo, I spotted a map of the course, showing start/finish, the up and down route and marked on top of the hill ‘DIE’. I thought that a bit brutal, even allowing for the heat. As I got closer I realised it actually said ‘DIB’ – we’d need to insert our dibber at the summit.
So from the start we had about 400m around the sports field, and as far as spectators were concerned off we set for our little adventure on a lovely sunny evening, up a country lane. For the runners, well for me at least, it turned into a gasping for air, in hot conditions. Across a field, up a steep narrow path into the woods, where the climbing really began. I’m sure I remember the days when I could still run this section. Unhelpfully a spectator said she’d been out of breath just walking up to this point. If I’d had more breath I could have pointed out to her that in fact I was also just walking. Gary overtook me at about this point and I realised he was far better prepared for this than I was. Nevertheless, certain rules of nature can’t be ignored, and I overtook him before the top, but not nearly soon enough. What goes up though, must go down, as Gary very well knows and he sped past me on the tricky descent over low growing vegetation and loose stones. But there was another climb ahead, so nature kicked in again, and I overhauled him before the risky run down through the trees, where he promptly again passed me and was soon out of sight. There remained a field to cross, a couple of hundred yards on the lane and the finish just inside the playing field.
After the race Gary and I met up with a young 70 year old Wrekin Road Runner (a fell runner attempting disguise), who beat us both convincingly in the over 70 category, now apparently restored.
Tim J had already finished, and looked remarkably cool. Longer legs must save one effort, and also his head will be at greater altitude where it must be that little bit cooler. Also I suspect he’d had plenty of time to cool down, while waiting for us to finish. Steph K came in soon after.
Full results won’t be available apparently for a few days.
Edit: Full results now available: https://merciafellrunners.org.uk/results/pontesbury-results-2023/?fbclid=IwAR1p9-qOcmp16yUPlYnvqY6Z1tB1vPNJZQMnt9l-35C9d_oUmF6Zhblkk2w
But it does look as if they are still struggling as there is no Gary in the results, so although I’m listed as 1st MV75, in fact Gary must have been about a minute ahead.
Tim 57th 31.20, Guy 83 – 1st MV75 36.02, Steph – 1st FV55 87 38.41
Thanks to Charlie Leventon for the photos.
