Event Reviews 2009

Toonie Express Event Reviews 2009

The GRIM - Aldershot Tank Testing Course

On Sunday 7th Dec Chris Smith & Catherine Simpson of Toonie Express Adventure Racing Team took part in "The GRIM" an 8 mile run,

crawl and wade round the Army's Aldershot tank testing ground.

With 3,000 runners completing the course on the Saturday the ground was churned up ready for 3,000 more runners on the Sunday.

There was water, a lot of water and it was all brown! from big puddles to a couple of small lakes and mud that was up to waist deep and a very worrying light brown colour. Despite the extreme conditions they had a great time. Chris finished in 295th in 1:11:59 with Catherine managing a very respectable 1:43:28

Chris Smith and Catherine Simpson travelled down to the Grim Challenge held down at the Army Tank Testing course Aldershot. At 10.30 we set off with 3000 others tackling 8 miles of deep mud and water, crawling under nets and enjoying the great atmosphere. The large amount of rain this year meant that the whole course seemed to be under water and the mud was waist high in places ( well on me anyway ) this made our finishing times slightly slower than last year. Chris finished in 1h 11min and Catherine in 1h 43min thoroughly enjoying the day once again. This is a very well organised race and great fun, parking was near the start /finish with plenty of facilities I even managed to get a small t shirt which is always a bonus - Catherine

HellRunner Up North

HellRunner Up North - Chris, Catherine & Dave ventured out on the day from Hell! Big rain and a long drive to Cheshire.

We arrived at Delamere Forest and prepared for the extreme race ahead, check shoe laces, bag up kit for afterwards, tuck in shirt, and trecked to the start. Chris & Dave ran this event last year and were trying not to scare Catherine with stories of the race that worked until she saw the start and the hill that did it. 11am and off we go, under the arch, past the Devil and follow the red flares. There were 2,500 entrants but many less started due to the extreme weather. After 50 yds we turned up a huge hill to a radio mast, that strung out the field. Then a long fast downhill back past the start/finish area and off into the forest.

The course is easier at the start to allow competitors to get into the race and to string out the field so that by the time we got to the bog jumps, log jumps, little bogs and huge hills there were fewer bottlenecks. The Hills of Hell really sorted out the fit, there were many just walking while those of us with attitude tried to power up and race down the hills.

The 12.1 mile course got harder as it went on and as we got more and more tired until with about a mile to go we entered the Bog of Doom and I do mean entered! Wade in and after seconds you are waist high in filthy black sticky muddy water with logs under it! You wade through this for about 500m with a few trips out and back in via slippery slopes so not at all easy but still fun. After this was a gentle exit from the bog followed by one big then 2 small uphills followed by a downhill sprint to the finish.

The course was harder than last year due to the extended Bog of Doom and the wet weather. I was very pleased to finish in 1h48m in 148th place, 31st in class with Dave behind in 1h57m and 315th place. Catherine on her first visit did very well finishing in 2h59m (just behind the Smurfs and Log Carrying Team) and also managed 31st in class.

All in all a great if very hard race and a perfect day out for Toonie Express. After getting our event T-Shirts and goody bags full of food we walked a mile back to the car and threw away the now black socks and put on some warm clothes for the drive home.

After a 3 hour drive we were ready for very long showers. The kit has all had 2 washed but may still get another!

Chris

Last name	Net time	Overall position	Gender position	Category position
Chris Smith	01:48:39	148	142	31
Dave Raynes	01:57:59	315	296	217
Catherine Simpson	02:59:45	1389	263	31

Survival of The Fittest - Nottingham

Yes that's a fire hose pointing at us when we get out of the lake!

Dave in the mud (Still with watch)

Back for the second running of SoTF, Chris & Dave had a great laugh and really enjoyed the stinky mud and water.

There were 3,000 starters and 2,549 finishers. Chris finished 199th in 1:07:38 and Dave came in 289th in 1:10:26 very good for a couple of old blokes, we really enjoyed beating the "Gym Fit" guys & gals.

As well as 12k to run the obstacles included were, Bale Wall, Parkour Zone, Assault Course, Water Wade, Water Slide, Hill Runs, Roadwork Zone, Basketball, Skatepark Zone, Car Scramble, Taxi Jump, Muddy Pipe, Hot Pipe, Windy Pipe, Stadium Climb, 8ft Wall of Doom.

Not a race for the faint hearted, one for Team Toonie Express!

Coniston 14k Trail Race

Catherine in action, yes it was very windy!

I have reviewed this race here in the Adventure Race section as it really was not a training event!

The weather forecast was horrible, horizontal rain with strong winds and 70mph gusts. We woke on race day to full on lakes at their worst weather, big rain, big wind. Where some event organisers run for the hills and health and safety forms the advise from the Lakeland Trails team was to take care. The race start was at the bottom of a hill so an uphill start, that's the way it went on. We ran through the village then turned left up a monster uphill towards the old man of Coniston a 1134ft climb within 2.5 miles, Ouch! the tarmac stopped and this track got harder as we went on and became single track with rocks mud and lots of moving water (small rivers) Then we had more fells and hills mostly up and all very wet. The weather varied and once I saw the sun but mostly wet and very windy, on one uphill my right leg was getting blown behind my left so I kept kicking myself. The downhill sections were fast and furious with no time to blink. After 10k we turned at the side of Coniston water for a more gentle run back through woods and fields. The finish was very welcome and everyone was fully tired, not just hurting but real pain and still big smiles! All for a brown T-Shirt? well yes but also so much more, this is not your average race and we loved it. Catherine finished in 2:00:01 (Ahhh) and Chris finished in 1:26:20

RatRace London

Chris, Cathy & Andy took part in the 2009 London Rat Race. A great multi event race, 47miles of biking, kayak pizza delivery, abseil, climbing, HMS Belfast under deck orienteering, high speed London city orienteering, assault course and other things.

8th Mixed Team in 9 to 5 - 800 points - 7:42:52

Very happy with the position as this was our first major event as a team, we worked well together and had a great time.

Cathy, Andy & Chris, big smiles!

Cathy bouldering

Andy & Cathy before the start

Saab Saloman Turbo X

TURBO X IS PURE FILTH! The maddest, muddiest run of the Saab Salomon Trail Running Series and will not disappoint with 10 miles of the gnarliest mix of mud, sweat and trail! Hidden within a natural assault course of water, sand, marsh and muck lurks ...the SAAB X ZONE.... A 1- 2 mile section of the craziest trail terrain to push your stamina, agility and perseverance to the limit! You'll wade through watery wildness, clamber through mud, sand and bog, charging your way through the roughest off road track you can imagine. I loved it! - Shaun Louth

Para 10 Mile

The Parachute Regiment challenged those seeking a tough race to attempt the 10 mile 'P' Company cross country route, carrying a bergen (rucksack) weighing 35lb (excluding food water) and wearing military style boots, with the added challenge of trying to beat the 1hour 50 minute Paratroopers Company selection cut off time.

The route a multi-terrain endurance event, following the same route as the Parachute Regiment’s 'P' Company selection 10 mile march route. The majority of the course felt uphill, numerous cattle grids, water features and three climbs that you could barley walk up let alone run!

Cathy Davies 2.04.27 loved every minute of the run and looked comfortable as she crossed the line.

Shaun Louth with limited training having only returned from holiday a week before the race breezed across the line in 2.18.15.

Prior to the ‘P’ Company Challenge was the 10 mile race in normal running kit following the same course but starting 5 minutes earlier. A fantastic day albeit a long one and tempted to run again next year?…… Of course! Grrrrrrr.

Cathy in full kit at the Para 10 (P Coy Challenge)

1st Adidas Thunder Run 24h 10k Team Relay Race

Back for 2010 on 31st July - Prices held at 2009 levels

Limited places so enter early. See Toonie Express there!

1st & 2nd August - 1st Adidas Thunder Run

Chris Smith, Dave Tilley, Mark Sands, Paul Freemantle & Angie Harvey of Sleaford Town Runners in a 5 person Mixed Team.

We won 3rd place in our class, the biggest class, with 28 laps in 24h:21m:22s

Thunder Run 2009 Photo album

Prints can be downloaded free or ordered from here

A very hard but brilliant race!
The first running of the Adidas Thunder Run 24 Hour 10k Team Relay TrailRace 1st/2nd August 2009
We arrived and setup camp between the showers, a sign of things to come. The venue was ideal with hot showers, huge 24hour food hall, good toilets and most importantly a brilliant trail course that was both fun and testing.
2pm mass start, Mark Sands was our first runner and led the first lap, Dave Tilley ran the second lap in light rain then it was my turn and the rain came big time! by the end of my lap we are running on pure mud as it was 3:30pm there was a long time to go running on mud this was worrying.
As time night came our times slowed as we were sliding about far too much despite the wonderful people from Adidas lending everyone various grippy trail shoes. I missed out on Swoops which were doing very well in the filth.
My 3rd lap was at midnight and with my monster 3w CREE torch this was no problem at all it was my most enjoyable lap and I overtook about 12 runners who must have thought I was elite (or something scary) as they kept getting out of the way.
My 4th lap was about 4am and started in full darkness soon to be followed by the wonderful sight of the sun coming up and I finished in full daylight, it takes your mind off the hard work when you have a course and views like this.
We were in 3rd place by this time as we had stuck to our team plan and sent everyone out in order, not just that we wanted to spread the pain but if we were going to win anything we had to do it in our own way with all team members working together 100%
Our mixed team of 5 stuck to a running order so 3 members ran 6 laps with the other two doing 5 laps managing 28 laps overall.
As this was evenly spaced there was time for a shower and rest between laps, you really needed a shower as the course was pure mud in many places due to heavy rain early on (mainly on the 3rd leg when I was runing).
My 6th and last lap was the final run and I managed to take 5 mins off my previous lap as the trails dried.
The course is a very well designed trail course by someone who clearly knows what he is doing it takes in several woods, tracks, trails, hills, grass and oh yes Mud. If it had been dry we would have completed more than the 28 laps but the conditions did not detract from the fun in some strange ways they added to it.
Will we be back next year? Of course we will! there will be several teams from our club there and I can't wait for it.
Photos and more at http://strraces.com
Review - Chris Smith

Race Results

Note from our friends...

Hey Chris, Random I know but wondered if you could pass this on to Sleaford Runners.
If there was a team to a man that was quick to encourange over the weekend it was Sleaford.
To be competing at the front of the field, as from what I could see, fielding all your runners as close to equally as possible was truly great.
Hope to see Sleaford next year, I'll certainly be fitter and better equipped. Which means the sun will shine of course.
Cheers,
Damian Smith
Edinburgh

The team Before

Quod sors fert ferimus

Chris - In Zohan Mode!

Potentia vobiscum

It was muddy! Very Muddy

Veni Vidi Volo in domum redire

Mark in the mud after a lap

Cogito ergo zoom!

Paul after a fall

Semper in excretum sum sed alta variat

Collecting out Mixed Team of 5 3rd place trophies

In the mud with our trophies, medals and big smiles

Obesa cantavit

Thunder Run 2009 Start Video

Sentio aliquos togatos contra me conspirare

Mark and Dave - The perfect changeover

Facta non verba

Chris starting a lap

The Beast 2009

1st Mar - The Beast Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, Multi-Terrain.

This was the first running of "The Beast" a Double or Quit (One 5m lap or 2x 5m laps) of a Horse Cross Country course. Horses have 4 legs and are tall so various methods of hurdles, jumps and wading groin high through cold water, followed by some very impressive hills. The 32 horse jumps (per lap) made the course much harder than a normal cross country. There were a few minor bugs such as the water stations at 2.5m then 7.5m, one at 5m would be great as you can't run with a drink bottle. The other mor major bug was Dave Tilley and the top 20 went the wrong way! (short by a good mile and missed the deep water) it was not their fault but did mean that Dave did not win 2nd place, he was a little miffed. I stayed for a pint of Beast Ale and some Thai soup after the race well worth waiting for.

This has the makings of a really good race and I am sure it will fill in days next year, lets get some Toonies there!

Team Training Runs 2009

Ancaster Christmas Run

Following the late cancelation of the Southwell 10k race several of our friends came back to Ancaster for a 6mile trail run over the heath, we had a great time getting muddy and worked off some turkey. With mulled wine and sloe gin after it was very good to end the year well with our friends. Roll on 2010

Lincoln & District Christmas Cross Country Race

On Sunday 20th December Chris, Dave R, Dave Tilley, Matthew & Catherine braved the -7 temperature and frozen roads with black ice to get to Lincoln South Common for the LADR Christmas Cross Country. We are always pleased to support this race at the entry fee is a teddy which goes to needy children in Lincoln. The race was very hard on frozen ground with plenty of snow cover and the huge hill (5 times for men and 3 times for ladies) really made the calfs burn. Dave Tilley came home first and was 5th overall followed some time later by Chris who (as many others) had a bit of a problem breathing in the extreme cold, Chris kept warm by wearing his Chipmonk Hat which strangely was quite normal for the day with quite a few Santas running. Dave Raynes followed next just beaten by a Santa! Matthew came 4th in the up to 16 class (just 3 laps) and must do more hill training between exams. Catherine who also ran 3 laps in the ladies race had a good time and coped very well. We enjoyed the free coffee and mince pies at the end and after the prize giving said our goodbyes to Martyn of LADR and went home for a well earned warm shower!

LOG Orienteering at Risehome Park - December

Chris, Dave & Matt enjoyed this wet and muddy trail based orienteering session based at Risehome Equestrian Centre, yes lots of horses had churned the trails up just how we like it. Chris & Dave did the long course with 18 check in 6+k while Matt ran the short course with 12 check points - Chris

This was a first for me, not sure what to expect when I arrived at the Riseholme park complex, but the organisers Lincoln Orienteering Group were very helpful. Having looked at a dummy map to give me an idea of the symbols and how to read the map once I had checked in and was given an electronic key which attached to my finger a course map and was ready for the off. Chris and Matt Smith joined me at the start, Matt did the short course while Chris and I tackled the long course. Chris lead off as he has already had a couple of goes at Orienteering and showed me the ropes, type of terrain as shown in different shaded areas on the maps, wooded areas, fences etc. It was somewhat tougher than I thought it would be, and you can soon miss a check point, or spot a check point in the distance and in haste run hard to arrive there and find it belongs to a different route. It was a course of about 6.5 km but muddy and some of the check points hard to get to. 18 check points later and it was finished, but it still took me about 55mins as I missed one check point and had to double back costing me over 5 minutes. Great fun though and I highly recommend this for a Saturday morning. The web site is www.logonline.org.uk take a look, the runs only cost £2.00 so a cheap day out and races are local, results are available as you finish showing all the split times, and the handicap system is on line and gives all a fair chance at doing reasonably well as it age sensitive. Chris finished 4 seconds ahead of me on the day, and Matt enjoyed his short course, but managed to get lost a couple of times finishing in about 50 mins. A chance to use your feet and your brain, and its not always the quickest runner that finishes first, if you get a chance give it a go - Dave

LOG Orienteering at Bourne Woods - November

After joining LOG this was Chris's first go at normal orienteeing with a large scale event at Bourne Woods Sunday 22nd November.

Chris ran the "Light Green" course with 13 check points and some real fun running through brambles, ditches and woods.

4th on the course and 1st V40 and above Lt Green standard whatever than means.

Can't wait to train more and to improve starting next week with another event.

1st Lucca Marathon - October

Chris and Catherine were invited to take part in the 1st Lucca Marathon by our friend Alfredo Petroni - the President of the Marathon. Together with his team Alfredo has broken all records with this race!! For a first run having 950 Marathon runners and 3,000 5k runners is magnificent, the previous record for a first time Italian Marathon was 400 runners. As a very experienced runner with all areas were well covered and the event team and race marshalls were as near to perfect as you will ever see.

We flew from Stansted with RyanAir as BA had let us down. When we got to Pisa we hopped on the bus for Lucca and enjoyed the beautiful views.

Registration was in the middle of Lucca and was easy to find. We go numbers, T-Shirts and met Alfredo again which was followed by being whisked off for wine tasting.

We stayed at the La Luna 3 star hotel on Via Fillungo this was an excellent hotel that I rate very highly, the staff were excellent. We had a few good meals out but by far the best was at Vecchia Trattoria Buralli this was the best food we have ever had in Italy so not to be missed and Catherine from Glasgow was a great host.

The race...

The Marathon started at 9am, sounds early but it was just 10 min walk from our hotel or indeed anywhere inside the city walls. I was tired from last weeks Marathon but was really up for enjoying this race, I started well and was cheared on at the start and 4k by Alfredo. After 5k on the city walls the course dropped into the city then away into the green and beautiful countryside. The course is as near flat as you get and had some great views. I went well at the starts with lots of 7:40 min/mile finishing the 1st half in 1:41 but the wheels came off in the second half and the 28deg heat took its toll. Back into the city with 3k to go and I finished in 3:55:55 so very slow but also very happy to have taken part in such a friendly fun Marathon, I will wear my T-Shirt, Cap and Medal with pride. I met some great people on the race and was cheered on by the people we met at the expo.

Catherine ran the 5k race and despite a few people going the wrong way due to starting early? she really enjoyed the run and the course and wears her medal and t-shirt with pride.

Unbeliveable to think that this was a first race by this team, very well done we loved it and will be back.

2nd Spires & Steeples Trail Marathon - October

The second running of this truly great trail Marathon from Lincoln Castle to Sleaford. Last year there were about 100 runners, this year that increased to nearly 500 and all credit goes to the team that organised it, very well done girls.

I had a poor race which is very sad as the course is such a good one, I passed the first half in 1:37 but went downhill after that partly due to the flu injection the day before.

Dave Raynes had a cracking run finishing in under 4 hours for the first time in ages so was very happy! My son Matthew ran the 12 mile course and won in 1:23 taking 7 mins of my course record from last year. Catherine finished the 12m course in 2:06 and very much enjoyed the course.

We love this race and will be back next year.

Ponton Plod Marathon - September

A brilliant trail Marathon around many villages, fields and trails in the Ponton area. Chris and Dave ran the 27 mile option and had a challenging time. Running together till about 18 miles when Chris started to suffer due to twisting ankles due to the fields and also from last weeks Wroclaw Marathon. As Chris slowed Dave who was on a mission kept the same pace and finished in 4:50 with Chris behind in 4:54 that sounds a long time but this is not an easy run! there are many hills.

Also a mention of my son Matthew, very well done Matt on winning the 11.5m race in a brilliant 1:50

Abseil Grantham Church - September

Real fun! Taking park in the 240ft charity abseil of the huge Grantham Church. Assisted by the RCT TA this was a huge event and about 100 people dropped off in Mission Big Drop raising many thousands of pounds for Help For Heroes.

Wroclaw Marathon - September

A brilliant city Marathon! I have done many races abroad but this one was very special, the city is beautiful, the SAS Raddison Hotel was wonderful but then it is 5 star. Race registration was easy to find and had a large expo area, registration was quick and easy and cost 120pln (about 30 euros)

The race is mostly flat with a few bridges and many cobbles and 90deg turns, not hard just not easy. Over a thousand runners took part and I see that even the top runners started to suffer at 30k, much as I did. But without training I was happy with my 3:43 time, until 30k I was on for sub 3:30 but doing no distance runs showed. I have loads of long runs ahead including twotrail marathons before next months Lucca Marathon then on to Abu Dhabi (with luck and hard work)

I loved Poland and am looking to return inApril for the Krakow Marathon - Chris.

As Chris was running Wroclaw marathon the organisers held a free family fun run, as I happend to have my trainers on I registered and followed the rest of the crowd in yellow T. shirts. The route was a mile around the park which I completed in 8mins a very nice way to pass some time while waiting for Chris. Everyones number was then entered in a draw with prizes consisting of CD players, televisions, and one small boy winning the top prize of a Motor Scooter !! - Catherine.

Belper 30k Multi Terrain Race - August

A new venue for me starting at the Belper Rugby club Derbyshire, the race starts about 150ft above sea level. The first 15km of the race climbs from the rugby club through mostly meadows and tracks, passing through a lot of narrow styles until reaching the 15km mark which is the highest point of the race at about 1000ft.

The views are spectacular across the Derbyshire dales, and on a warm day like Sunday also breathtaking, from 15km the race heads downhill mostly for the next 4km into rich woodland with excellent paths heading towards the valley bottom.

Having reached about 19km the course turns back up the hill and peaks at the 22km point at about 600 ft , the paths are steep and rocky underfoot in places. At the 22km point once again its back down hill towards the finish in Belper, about 4km along the the valley bottom and back to the rugby club.

A very good race overall you can achieve amazing negative split for this one, mine being 1hr 58 to the 15km point and 1hr28 on the second half giving an indication of that second half downhill. So a finish of 3hrs 26mins on the watch, I was happy with this as i was still very wary of my Achilles on the downhill stretches not allowing me full speed downhill.

Certainly one I would go back to, and can recommend to fellow club members looking for a good off road race.

Three Lakes Classic - July

One of the most scenic and enjoyable multi-terrain races around enticed once again a contingent from our Club. Another warm day for this 15 mile race but then again it is June after all, how we forget what its like to have a summer! Finally we talked Chris ‘Zohan’ Smith into running this race and despite not feeling 100% Chris finished under two hours in 1.59.41 Caz Flannigan effortlessly crossed in 2.01.38, 3rd lady overall to finish, however Caz was awarded 2nd lady due to a Vet Category award going to the second lady. Paul Freemantle took a detour off the course despite shouts from Alex and Dave and finally rejoined the correct route somewhat adrift of the field, although still pleased with his time of 2.11.19. David Taylor 2.18.45 and Alex Hetherington 2.18.47 enjoyed a canter around the course having run the Seabank Marathon weeks before. All was well until Alex took a tumble grazing her hand and arm near the end, more embarrassed that badly hurt! Alistair Whitaker running the course for the first time enjoyed a steady run finishing in 2.52.44. Not so Catherine Simpson who struggled in the heat, however determined to finish Catherine dug deep to bottom out the run finishing in 3.02.55

Garburn Trail Race - June

2009 saw some extreme weather in the lakes, the bad weather course had to be used. Snow was forecast to below 800ft. FRA rules were imposed so we all had to have hats, gloves and waterproof jackets and trousers (in June) The course change made the race 18k instead of 24k and not a high on the mountains but due to the weather the "hills", wind, rain, puddles, washed out trails it was still a very hard challenge of a race. I managed to pull a hamstring on one of the wet slate stiles, not great fun but due to staying at a great pub with it's owe micro brewery all was well and the next day my hamstring was mended. Beer power! This was Catherines first go at the Garburn Challenge (Same as the race but starts an hour earlier) she had a good time but legs were hurting days later which is very race for a runner of her experience. After last years baking hot race this was a change. We will be back. This is so much harder than the other training runs it may be promoted to a Toonie Express qualification event!

Bourne Woods 5 Mile - May

A great fun 5 mile run in and round the woods. Several hills but a downhill start and finish that was nice, no waterstations and a very hot day. Great burger van for lunch after. We all enjoyed the race. I was sub 40 and Catherine was 50:07

Dambuster 10m - April

This is my 3rd year at this excellent event, organised by the fight cancer charity, and this year I was very pleased to have Toonie company in the form of Chris Smith and Catherine Simpson. It was a wonderful bright sunny, but crisp morning for the start below the impressive Derwent dam, with the maximum number of starters 260 ready to go. The first half as usual was on the off road side of the reservoir, undulating tracks for 5 miles before crossing the bridge and heading back on the tarmac road on the other side back down the reservoir. Chris ran well although a problem with the arch of his foot slowed him slightly, but still finished in a very good time of 1 hr 12 minutes, for myself still trying to recover from my achilles injury weeks ago in the Grantham Half Marathon, found it painful for the last 3 miles perhaps trying to push on managing 1 hr 25 mins. Hoping my chances of getting around London marathon next week have not been dashed completely, I remain somewhat sore today (Monday). Catherine also suffering a leg problem with a painful knee ran on well, picking up time on the second half of the race and finishing in 1 hr 40 mins. There was as usual an excellent spread of home made cakes at the finish with tea and coffee for us invalids to enjoy before we made the half mile walk back to the car park. In all a great race once again, and I look forward to next years event, and again hope a few more Toonies will think about having a go at this fairly low key race next year. Dave Raynes.

Caythorpe Canter - April

Three Sleaford Town Runners arrived at Caythorpe cricket ground to run the 13 mile off road Caythorpe Canter. Conditions were just about perfect very dry, no mud and the sun came through making it quite warm for the hundred or so runners and walkers. We all opted for the short course which was marked as a race. Chris and son Matthew decided to run a slightly different route! following non existent arrows but ending at the same place. Chris came in at 1.44, Dave Taylor, 1.51 and Catherine Simpson third toonie home with 2.21. We all enjoyed the masses of cakes and pastries at the end, although the organisation this year was not up to its usual standard and more marshalls would have helped especially at the finish. Matthew Smith running for Grantham athletic came home in 1.41 4th overall and winning his age group.

Belvoir Challenge 15m & 26m - February

Club Members travelled to the Vale of Belvoir, Leicestershire for the Belvoir Challenge This event takes you in and around the scenic countryside of the vale of Belvoir taking in views of the splendid Belvoir Castle. Organised to raise money for the local school in Harby, two race distances take place 15 & 26 miles predominantly off road. This year our members competed in the 15 mile race which had been altered from that of the previous year for a more accurate distance. Dave (The Fox) Tilley and Mark Sands would lead our Club members home with Dave 8th overall in 1.49.26 followed in on his shoulder be Mark 9th 1.49.33. Simon (Frank) England 42nd excelled on the multi-terrain and crossed comfortably in 2.06.22, Chris Smith also finishing strongly in 2.07.26. Alex Hetherington 2.19.43 was just ahead of Dave Taylor 2.19.49, Paul Freemantle 2.23.47, with Dave Raynes under the 2.30 mark in 2.28.01. Angie Harvey finished in 2.35.07, with Catherine Simpson running and finishing with her young Niece Melinda Jordan and finishing in 3.27.09. Pat Riches would complete our Club members across the line in 3.35.41

Ropsley Raid - January

After several very hard frosts, as with last year the frost disappeared leaving the cross country sections very sticky. Owing to a recent chest infection and slow recovery for the first time in this event I opted for the short course rather than the 13 miles. I struggled to get my breath in the first 3 miles, but at the water station turn about half way I was picking up a bit of speed. Just after Humby I met several runners who had missed the turning beyond the green and finished up in an allotment, having quickly spotted the tickertape I was soon on my way and now in 3rd position. I maintained this position into the village past the Green Man pub and on to the footpath up the hill and away to pick up the track we started on. A good finish down hill and back to the village hall only to find I was now seventh overall in 59 minutes, the drop in finishing positions was due to the runners behind me who did not take the path to the right just past the Green Man but continued straight along the road to the village hall missing the last hill and the style at the top of the hill. A little disappointed with that situation, as its not often I make the first 3 finishing positions, having said that, the event was enjoyable, with an excellent goodie bag and I hope to be back for the longer course next year. Well done to all the toonies for a good turn out on a cold morning, and to Angie for her support at the finish. Thanks to Ropsley Road Runners for putting on the raid once again, I hope they will continue this race. Dave Raynes.

Toonie Express

Adventure Racing Club