Race reports by David Phillips
Poppit Sands 3 miles – 6.8.19
This is the 2nd of the 3 evening races at St. Dogmaels near Cardigan and about an hour from our Penally home. The start is on a small lane outside the RNLI station on the beach then soon you turn onto the river Tiefi estuary and run along the bank on sand, mud, tracks even crossing a small inflow of it on large stones in one place. Then the hard stuff starts as the last half of lap one is along the beach back to the start. However the sand is so dry and deep that running is really hard as you keep sinking in to your ankles and this is for about 3/4 of a mile. Good training place for the Main Group maybe?
Eventually we are back at the start again for lap 2 which seems harder than lap 1 but eventually the finish line is there so job done.
We will be back for the 3rd and final race later on in August when T shirts are the prize for those who do all 3. I will have only done 2 but no problems there.
Massey time: – Dave Phillips 38.48.
Stratford Summer 6, Wilmcote – 10.8.19
As usual there was a bumper turnout for this evening run and it was well supported by all local clubs with plenty of red and whites to add to the colours. The start by Mary Arden’s House is flattish but then a long uphill drag ensues before a very steep downhill part down to mile 1. All nice and flat thereafter and that wind was not too bad at all as it was either with us or we were protected by tall hedges. So no excuses for slow running!
Nice quiet country lanes to 3 miles then a long tortuous hill up to 4 which really was a toughie and very lonely at the back of the pack. Fortunately the whole route was quiet and virtually traffic free so no real problems.
At the top of this hill was mile 4 and then downhill to mile 5 which was on the almost vertically upwards hill that we ran down at the start so we know what was coming. This was a real crippler but eventually the top was in sight with about ½ a mile to go but darkness was descending and the cars had their lights on so a bit dodgy.
Eventually the Mary Arden pub was in sight with Martin Smith on his 8th pint shouting and welcoming us in towards the finish just round the corner.
Super T shirt for the finishers and the usual cake stall where I bought Robina her usual 10 cakes to show my goodwill.
So that’s 3 races in the week so hopefully the 50 will be achieved again this year.
Back to Wales next w/e for the usual mountain, fell and beach runs so watch this space.
Just a comment on this very well organised race at Wilmcote is that 1930 hrs is a late start. Everyone can get there earlier but it makes the finish late and a bit dodgy in the dark for those at the rear end. Many agreed with my views on this so I’ll mention it to Stratford RC and Tempo Events who organise it.
Massey time: – Dave Phillips 75.51.