Shobdon Time Trial

Race Reports

The final of this winters winter Club Time Trials took place at Shobdon. The route had to be altered a little from last spring because sheep on one of the main parts of the route meaning the field used previously had been fenced off – it ended up bing a little longer than in May, a distance of 4.6 miles as oppose to 4.3m.

23 runners started off in the orchard running between apple trees and then around the field margin, down a long gravelled path to run alongside the football pitch before taking a left hand turn along a farm track. There was a barrier along this track, which unfortunately wasn’t open but Eric and Jasper, not to be slowed down by this obstacle, athletically vaulted it to continue the run. The rest of us took a rather more sedate duck under or looped around. A little detour from last time saw us cross a little footbrige and take meandering path through a small coppice to face a challenging uphill through a row of black currant bushes. Back onto farm tracks before looping round a few more field margins and then back around the orchard, uphill to the finish line.

Huge thanks to Tom D for helping me mark out the route the day before. Unfortunately not quite good enough it would seem as Frank and Gary took a wrong turn towards the end, Frank not managing to find the right way and coming to the finish line from a different direction. Ashley also pulled out due to injury – saving himself for more important runs rather than anything serious I hope. Suzanne also took a bit of a stumble, hurt herself and had to walk her way back to the finish line – helping out collecting the markers always thoughtful of others.

So 20 runners crossed the finish line. Eric and Jasper raced hard but the uphill finish favoured Eric and he was first man home in 30.19 with Jasper second only 11 seconds behind. Sam was back from Germany and able run and finished in 3rd 33.48.

Roland was fourth followed by first lady Jo T 38.18, Dave Millichap, Neil Taylor and guest Alec – home from university for the weekend- followed and then Liza, second lady in 40.42 and Flora third in 41.57. Myself and Huw had a bit of a race in the first couple of miles, but the uphill trials work in my favour and I finished in front.

Steph K was next back followed by Sue Wood and Gary Gunner (who ran either a shorter or longer route – not quite got to the bottom of that!). It is great to have Hayley M back at Croft again and she finished in 53.24, just ahead of Tom D, Bryan, Hayley C and Ali.

Well done to everyone who ran – I am not sure if anyone was thanking me for my chosed route for the end of the race as that uphill 30 or so meters was a tough finish.

Thanks to Guy, Rob, Clare, Wendy, Jayne, Mike H, Mike B for marshalling.

These time trials are a great addition to the club calendar, initially set up to get us racing during lockdown but hopefully we will continue to have them in years to come.

Results on the results page for times.

 

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