Sunday, January 07, 2007

Some Fell Races

In the Peak District Noel Hogan and Sandy Mackenzie took on the delights
of the Roaches fell race. This out and back course was run over fifteen
miles with a climb of 3700 feet and not to be attempted by the average fun
runner.

Noel aquitted himself very well, to come in 75th in a time of 2hrs 39min
24sec. Sandy also had a good run, and broke the three hour barrier to
finish in 2hrs 59min 10sec and gain 135th position in a race with over
240 starters.

The Stiperstones Time Trial took place a couple of weeks ago with athletes
expected to set off at one minute intervals from the Ragleth pub in Little
Stretton and navigate their way to the Stiperstones pub by any route in
the shortest time possible. Mike Taylor ran with Dave Pritchard from
Wrekin Orienteers and covered the distance of approximately 10 miles in
1hour 44min with Sandy Mackenzie and Mark Deighton fron Newport only two
minutes behind them in 1hr 46min.

At the recent Cardington Cracker, the runners again were put through the
mill when they had to run over 9 miles with a total climb of around 3000
feet. Leaving Cardington, the runners had to climb the Lawley, Caer
Caradoc, and Hope Bowdler before crossing an area known as the Wilderness
before returning to the finish. Conditions on the day were slightly wet
underfoot with some strong winds on the tops of the hills.

Robin Guy proved to be the strongest of the Newport contingent on the day,
coming in 44th in 1hr 28m 55s, with Noel Hogan crossing the line ten
minutes later in 80th place in a time of 1hr 38m 10s.

Ed Jobling had a good run just over a minute behind finishing 86th in 1hr
39m 38s and sandy Mackenzie was in action again to complete the event in
1hr 42m 31s and achieve 108th place.

M.Deighton Newport and District Running Club

Roaches Fell Race

Recently a couple of members of Newport and District Running Club
travelled out of the local area to take on a fell race of fairly epic
proportions. This race over the Roaches was run over a distance of fifteen
miles with over 3700 feet of ascent.
The out and back course was attempted by over 240 runners and Noel Hogan
did well to come in 75th in 2hrs 39m 24s and Sandy Mackenzie, in his first
attempt at the race, also had a good run to complete the course in 2hrs
59mi 10sec to gain 135th place.