Tuesday, January 26, 2010

2010 SW Vets XC Championship

Sunday 24th January saw the 2010 South West Veterans Cross Country Championship, in co-operation with Sidmouth Running Club, held with the kind permission of the East Devon District Council for the National Trust, around The Byes at Sidmouth. This is the first time the course has been used as previous races had been held at Muttersmoor, Sidmouth. Although the new course does not appear to be as severe as the Muttersmoor course the new route proved to be just as taxing.

Despite the mindless endeavours of local vandals, who removed some stakes and tape, which had been set out the previous evening marking the course, the valiant efforts of John Perratt and his crew ensured the race started as scheduled.

Twenty-six runners in the under 17, ladies and men V65 plus categories joined the twenty-seven runners in the men up to V60 category to pound their way around the heavy going of the course. The men up to V60 category had to endure 5 laps of the course whilst the other categories completed four laps. After the recent adverse weather conditions the standing water had dried just making the going under foot sticky in places and heavy. With windless skies and efforts by the sun to emerge the race began at 11.15 in the morning.

In the category U17, ladies and men V65 plus the first runner to complete the four laps was Stephen Moss, U17, of Sidmouth Running Club in a time of 28 minutes and 47 seconds. Close on his heels in second place came the first lady, Marilyn Blair for Torrington Running Club in a time of 29-39.

Ray Elston, the first Exmouth Harrier, won the V70 category by finishing in overall 15th position in a time of 34-19. Had Ray been young enough this time would have given him first place in the V65 category. The actual winner of the V65 category was Jim Wyatt, for Exmouth Harriers, who finished directly behind his Exmouth Harrier colleague in 16th position in a time of 35-38. Les Turner completed the Exmouth Harrier trio in these categories by finishing in 24th position in a time of 39-47. The last runner to cross the line in 26th position was Louise Brown, for Sidmouth Running Club, in a time of 44-24.

In the other men's categories, up to V60, saw Richard Drage,V50, running for Tavistock AC, complete the five laps in first place in a time of 32-19. Exmouth Harriers' Lee Russell finished his five laps in 18th place in a time of 43-29. The final runner, in 27th place was David Welsh, for Sidmouth Running Club, in a time of 50-22."

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