Brent Knoll 5.5m Race   November 30th 2008

 

It was a great turn out by Wells City Harriers for the last of the Somerset Race Series, the intimidating Brent Knoll 5.5mile. This was despite the fact the club celebrated its annual Christmas social at the Wells City Hall the evening before with much merriment. The club fielded 14 runners in the field of 140 and all battled through the sticky mud, steep climbs and very cold wind to conquer this tough fell race. Just before the race started a special announcement explained why one of our runners was supporting a feeble attempt of a moustache; Jon Gilling was growing it for the Prostrate cancer charity event 'Movember' and had even asked for race number 118.

 

With the gun Tipton runner Pete Rigler went off as usual like a shot, trying to open an early lead. However, the pace soon slowed with the runners trying their hardest to keep upright along the muddy and very slippy lane behind the Burnham BASC grounds along the ryne. Les Lock, Steve Masters and Jon Gilling were at this point happy to sit back around fiftenth place rather than going out too fast. After the lane, the runners found a good stretch of tarmac to pick up the speed before heading through the village of Brent Knoll and the start of the climb. There is a 40 metre initial climb up through a sheep field and another lane before the proper climb up to the 137 metre summit of Brent Knoll. Jon was first to the top for the club, 5th at this point, on to the summit and could see all the leaders running around the remains of the Iron Age hill fort.  

 

It is always a relief to be going down again although in this race you have to pick your line well. Apart from runners heading up whilst you try to go down, the path is slippy and steep. But if you have the right shoes on it can be where places are gained. At the start of the race Debbie Marsden from Charnwood AC was quick off the start and led the ladies race. However with only road shoes on, she couldn't hold out for long against Wells City Harriers top female runner, Jenny Moore, who with better grip in the muddy conditions came past and finished almost 2 minutes ahead to take first female.

 

Jon managed to pass Gerry Hogg, Trull Troggers, in the closing stages to claim 3rd place overall. Steve  moved up to 8th and junior Ben Kelsey was next in for 12th (1st junior) ahead of Les who had a close encounter with the mud on the way back. Jenny, gave Wells City Harriers five finishers in the top 20. Ben and his dad, Chris were recently 2 of the 1400 runners ‘unaccounted for’ at the recent 2-day Original Mountain Marathon event in the Lake District and were obviously well tuned up for this event. Chris came motoring past his former KIMM racing partner, Paul Chadwick, with 500m to go and managed to open up a 12 second gap by the line. Rod Appleby & Paul Knight were next home, with Rod Little and Alan Hunter not far back, along with Nick Edwards. New members Jim & Linda Smith vowed to do more hill work in future after declaring that the race was one of the toughest they’d ever done..

 

A good days racing was had by all, followed by hot showers, beer and food in the BASC bar and the Somerset Series awards.(see separate report).

 

3rd Jonathan Gilling 39:27 ; 8th Steve Masters 41:50;12th Ben Kelsey 43:29;16th Les Lock 44:04;20th Jenny Moore 46:00;23rd Chris Kelsey 46:34;25th Paul Chadwick 46:46;26th Rod Appleby 46:58;28th Paul Knight 47:24;39th Rod Little 49:01; 53rd Alan Hunter 50:49;55th Linda Smith 51:06;58th Nick Edwards 51:59; 62nd Jim Smith 52:28