January
Luppit Lollop
Completed by about 6 members, Roy came 1st over 60 veteran.
Stonehedge Stomp
Over 10 members took part, picking up a special prize for largest team entry.
February
Liskeard 20
Fred, Sue and Tony Gordon travelled down to Cornwall to try this event. Starting at Liskeard it climbed up onto Bodmin Moor, then returned via Minions. If you remember Fred and Sue had trouble with the hill during the Cornish Marathon last November but this time they had to contend with a hail storm as well.
To break up London training Fred and Sue organised a training run from Yeovil. This was good as it was nice to see different scenery and flatter terrain.
March
Ham Hill Team Treasure Hunt
Organised by Yeovil Town club this fun event was over about 6 miles around Ham hill and Montacute. Each team comprised of 4 runners of equal ability from different clubs. As our handicap, each team set off depending on the estimated time. Each team was issued with a map, grid references and 20 questions. We didn't get lost but my team and Sue Saunder's team came joint last.
Rhayader 20
After I completed the event last year Fred, Sue and Tony Gordon joined decided to join me. The Friday evening before the run I spoke to one of the locals who said that the mountain road (part of route) had only opened the week before. When I drove around the route on the Saturday morning there was 3-4 foot high snow drifts on either side of the road. I don't think the others believed me about the snow as it was quite warm down in the village when the race started at 1:00 PM.
April
London
Fred Fox (2h 53), Sue Ridout (3h 53), Clive Harwood (3h 12), Tony Gordon (3h 34), Tony Strugnell (4h 04), Kevin Rosenberg (3h 53), Sue Saunders (4h)and Nick Whitney (4h 12) completed the event ably supported by Marathon drop out Jim White, Chris Saunders and myself. Jim and I supported by walking from Greenwich Park to the Cutty Sark and watched everyone go by . We then walked under the Thames to Island Gardens to see the leaders go through, then caught the Dockland Railway to the Tower and saw everyone at 22 miles. It was then only a mile or so walk to the meeting area in St James' Park.
May
2nd Spring Handicap
After several weeks of 'really struggling' and conning the handicapper, Martin Denman won followed by Colin Ryrie and Tony Gordon.
September
Fred and Sue had arranged for several of us to enter the Seven Sisters Marathon which is all Cross Country (see October). Plenty of cross country training was called for, if only so dynamic duo Steve Hole and Mal Higgins could try out their brand new New Balance Fell Buster shoes. Since I had all the maps and equipment I planned a 12 mile route. This route was to be over new ground towards Halstock Lee and Hardington. The Sunday arrived and we all set off towards Mosterton, then onto South Perrott. This was where most of the club decided to do the shorter route and headed back home. This Left myself, Steve, Mal, Sue Saunders and Anne Wills. We headed up to Winyards Gap following the Parrot Trail signs and then headed along the road towards Halstock. The next bit was all new ground so we all headed off with map and compass towards Halstock Lee . By this time we had been going for almost 2 hours, Sue and Anne were convinced we were lost but I knew where we were. When we headed North from Halstock Lee to Hardington Marsh Anne incessant Chatter was declining, the final straw must have been when we had to Wade through a farm yard a foot deep in S.H.1.T.
We were definitely heading homeward and after another 30 mins reached North Perrott. Sue was struggling and becoming dehydrated so we looked for a tap a the Church, but found that their water supply came off the roof into a water butt. We ended up asking some old chap who was gardening who obliged.
It finally took us 3 and 3/4 hours to complete this '12' miles and I was not the most popular person. Several burnt dinners and worried partners were waiting when everyone returned home. The first thing I did that afternoon was measure the route again, but still made it just over 12 miles. When I turned up for the Wednesday run all discussion was about this run, But I insisted that it was only 12 miles. The following Sunday, Tony Gordon organised a 15 mile run which when measure by myself worked out to be only 11. It was then that I discovered that my Map measurer was playing up. After taking it apart I tried the '12' mile route again only to make it 16 miles. Eating humble Pie I owned up to the fact on the next club meet.
October
Seven Sisters Marathon
Fred and Sue organised the stay at the Farrars Hotel and a Pasta meal at Luighi's Italian Restaurant. Mal Higgins was put off his food at the restaurant by the singing of Pavaroti and hardly touched any of his food. The morning of the event dawned with a clear morning. Fred, Sue, Roy Smart, Mal, Steve, Tony Gordon, Jim White and Myself walked up to the start. The event was brilliant with hot and cold drinks and food at the check points, Joe the lone Piper on the hill and Brass band at one check point. Jim White couldn't resist the Hot Cross Buns at 16 miles but paid the price several miles on. Everyone finished between 4h 20 and 5 hours. The wives had a good day also completing some serious shopping in Eastbourne. We all tracked down a good Cafe in the evening which was offering a 3 course meal for only £5.00.
Snowdonia Marathon
Mike Lawrence surprised us all by competing this one (our only representative .
November
Four members take part in the Cornish Marathon. Lovely weather with rain and Hail storms. Fred, Sue, Tony Strugnell and Martin Cook took part. The hot Cornish pasties at the end were most welcome.
December
Handicap
Won by Sue Ridout, who ran 3 minutes quicker than her Handicap. Martin Denman who once again improved his form of the last month to come second, with Ann Wills third, also with a fast time.
*Interesting fact *
There now has been 83 different club members since 1984 who have completed the handicap course.
Christmas Dinner
Held at The poulett Arms Hinton St. George. A good time was had by all. We all entered the pubs competition to guess the weight of a Pumpkin. (Later I discovered that I had won the bottle of port . The weight was 13.4 Kg exactly what I had Guessed.)
The following day was the Mud Run held at Stanchester School. Several members had said that they would attend but only Fred, Sue, Tony Strugnell, Paul French and myself turned up! Where did Martin Denman and Derek Boles get too.
Photos for the year can be found here