February
The Grizzly
Just under 18 miles of sheer Hell, thats' how I would describe this event. After starting quite quickly, I was quite well up, That was until I hit the beech, from then on it was a struggle. I walked the last 4 miles. Fred Fox did extremely well finishing 56th in 2h 18, Max Pollendine 2h 57 (442nd), Martin Cook 3h 06 (510th), Sue Ridout 3h 15 (606th), Roy Smart 3h 17 (620th) and Tony Strugnell 3h 30 (705th).

March
Alweston 10
This event had returned to the race calendar after Westland Running Club took over organisation. Fred, Sue, Roy, Martin Denman and Brian Hillard completed the 10, while Vernon Camp did the fun run.

Bath Half Marathon
A good turn out of 8 club members took part.

April
London
A good weekend was had by all. Myself and Clive Harwood and family went on the John Joyner London trip. While Fred, Sue and Kevin Rosenberg made their own way up.

Beaminster Fun Run
This is a very low key event. The run starts at Broadwindsor, goes across the Tunnel Road to Buckham Down then cross country to Beaminster. My biggest problem for this event was the transport arrangements, there weren't any!! I registered at Broadwindsor, then asked how we got back to the start to be met by blank looks. So I said no problem, got in the car and drove to Beaminster. Quickly changed and ran the 2 to 3 miles back to Broadwinsor. I arrived hot and sweaty with less than 2 minutes before the start. When the gun went off I was surprised to find myself leading the race for the first half mile. and ended up coming 3rd!!

May
Hereford Marathon
Fred, Sue and myself travelled up to the City to take part in this 2 lap event. I set off for the first half with Fred aiming for a sub 3h 20 run. At half way Fred changed gear and left me standing. Fred came a creditable 21st in 3h 05, I was outside my target but got a P.B. in 3h 20 59 and Sue broke 4 hours in 3h 54.

June
Midsummer Dream Footpath Marathon
After last years hot weather and coming 3rd the weather was cooler and I took less time. But only came 29th, managed to get lost 3 times and almost lost my shorts on some barbed wire fencing.

August
As I was staying in Derbyshire for my Summer Holidays I had checked out any Local events in the running magazines and found that there was a Fell race. So I packed my running kit including the 'Fell shoes'. The day of the event came and I drove the 25 miles to the village of Bradwell for the race. When I arrived there was no body around at all. Then the penny dropped I was a day early!! I returned 24 hours later to find lots of cars and a long queue for registration. When I registered with less than 4 minutes to go to the start, they handed me a square of cloth with a number on. This was my reusable race number which had to be handed back at the end of the race. Just before the start the heavens opened and it stayed that way for the rest of the evening. I stayed near the back of the field not knowing what to expect, once off road we climbed up a narrow path. By this time most were walking. When we finally reached the top I over took quite a few people but as soon as we started to descend down the steep slippery slopes back to the village I was soon swept up by hoards of nutters who seemed to just throw themselves down the hill.

September
Sidmouth Saunter
The 25 mile walk/run went along the coast to Salcombe, then inland to head to the coast again along the river Otter and return to Sidmouth via Ladram Bay and Peak Hill. This was a very enjoyable event completed by Fred, Sue and myself. The feeding stations were just that, with cakes, flapjacks and drinks hot and cold at each.

October
Snowdonia Marathon
The usual contingent made the annual pilgrimage to Llanberis. Two were madder than most, Fred and Sue had completed the Seven Sisters Marathon the day before.

November
East Cornish Marathon
This year I was joined by Fred and Sue who not only picked up their Hot Cornish Pastries at the finish. Fred picked up an award for coming 8th overall and Sue was 2nd women and first lady veteran over 40. At the start a very bleak and cold Saltash we huddled around a hot air vent to keep away from the biting wind. This wind did have its advantage however as it was in our backs all the way. I wasn't paying much attention to my watch But ended up only 13 seconds off my best ever Marathon time.

December
Handicap
This was the first time Clive Harwood and myself set the handicap times. First home was Tony Gordon, Jan Lawrence 2nd and Fred Fox third. 23 took part with a finishing spread of only 5 minutes.

For the photos from the year please click here