Several Crewkerne runners and local running buddies took part in the inaugural running of the Lundy Island Race. The official report from the organisers summed up the event very well so we thought we would share it.
THE LUNDY ISLAND RACE
So there it was. The perfect Day Trip to The Perfect Island for the Perfect Race..
.. Sounds like perfection.
The MS Oldenburg set sail from Ilfracombe bristling with 230 runners perspiring with anticipation at the thought of facing the first ever Lundy Island Race. They all knew they were making history.
The glassy Mediterranean-blue Bristol Channel was a sea of tranquillity beneath the Puretrail Raceboat as she ventured the 22 miles across to Lundy, chaperoned by an inquisitive little pod of Dolphins..
Even the dolphins knew this was going to be special..
So after 2 hours on the silky seas the old boat weighed anchor..
That was the easy bit.
From the jetty, the first ascent of the day was to Registration in the Village. The hub, pub and event centre for the day.
There was a buzz about the place. Flags flying. There was an air of excitement and anticipation, the not-knowing what to expect, except possibly a tough Puretrail Race, in extreme heat. TSUNAMI all over again?
Not quite, but the heat would have its say. There was no escaping it, there's not much to shade us on Lundy.
With numbers added from those already on the Island we had 247 starters.
Thanks to all those who participated and we hope you'll return again next year!
So to The Race..
The Race itself is a 3 Loop affair. First off.. A short 1.5 mile circuit which sees the runners sprinting back up through the village and following the central Spine trail northwards.
The West Coast- 'Puffin Coast' Loop is a fast undulating perambulation southwards to Checkpoint 1 @ 7.5 miles.
You may see a Puffin if you've packed your binoculars!
The East Coast 'Seal Coast' Loop is a more technical single track, hugging the eastern slopes as it slow-worms its way northwards to the Lighthouse. Checkpoint 2 is there, at 11.5 miles, but reached precariously by a frightful flight of precipitous steps and a heart-pounding ascent back up to the top.
We finish with a 3 mile dash southwards along the Spine trail once more to finish on the Village Green.
Ahhhhh.... time for a beer!
And the medal we've all been waiting for! In that order..
The Lundy Island Race has been made possible by the help and support of all the Lundy Island Staff at the Landmark Trust, Derek, Rob and all the gang there, special Thankyou to Mark- the guy who told me there were hiking trails on the Island.! The initial spark! Cheers mate!
MASSIVE shout-out to the A-Team of marshals we're so lucky to have. The ones that came across with us the day before to set the course and set up the Event - Bridget, Roger, Anaelle, Vicky,
Paul (megasweeper). And of course our Registration, Finish line and Results wizardry supplied by Dan, Sarah and Noah... Cheers guys! Fantastic work.
BIG shout-out to our check-in staff at Ilfracombe, and check-out gurus on the Island- Ash and Duncan! Thanks lads
Ad-hoc and last minute Marshals who helped on the day- David G, Martin, Dave, Rob and our additional sweeper Mr Zee.
Brilliant work guys.! This whole thing is made possible because of you.
Last but not least and Very importantly.. Massive Thanks to #Inov-8 for their support of the Lundy Island Race and the donation of prizes.
So.. to next year's race.
It'll be July. Date to be confirmed this week and entries open for it at 6pm Friday July 27th.
Can't wait til the next one.
Next year's race will be run in a clockwise direction so it'll be completely different.!
How exciting.!
Thanks to all that took part in the Adventure.
See you all again soon.
Results:
Position | Number | Name | Club | Time |
1 | 194 | Ronnie Richmond | Bideford AAC | 01:36:35 |
16 | 52 | Richard Clifton | Chard RC | 02:03:31 |
40 | 145 | Adam Maloney | Crewkerne RC | 02:18:11 |
90 | 81 | Darren Frost | Crewkerne RC | 02:41:57 |
136 | 227 | Linda Still | Crewkerne RC | 03:02:28 |
137 | 228 | Roger Still | Crewkerne RC | 03:02:28 |
197 | 219 | Rebecca Wetherall | Crewkerne RC | 03:33:08 |
225 | 204 | Eve Sale | Crewkerne RC | 03:54:13 |
226 | 66 | Richard Dodge | Yeovil Town RRC | 03:54:13 |
227 | 205 | Nick Sale | Crewkerne RC | 03:54:13 |
There were some very strict cut-off points due to the boat sailing so unfortunately Jenny Pocock and Hilary Askew did not reach 7.5 mile checkpoint in time.