RUN in the Wild at Cricket St Thomas on June 7^th 2009

This was the first running of a fantastically tough, up and down, 10km multi-terrain course that took in the many delights of the Cricket St Thomas parkland. The start was adjacent to the monkey enclosure and the animals looked on bemused as almost 300 brightly clad athletes of all ages and abilities toed the start line to be led away on the blast of the starter hooter up the fields by a quad bike. The sun shone brightly and all was smoothly organised by the local Chard Running Club

The undulating course saw all the runners climb some lung-bursting hills for fantastic views before plunging back down again into hidden valleys. There were one or two steam crossings and the course meandered past a number of animal enclosures where the animals were hidden from view but the rustling of the leaves gave them away!

Overall winner was Salford AC’s Martin Cox in a time of 36.41. Martin is an international fell runner of some repute. The Harrier team was led home by Steve Masters, 5^th in a time of 41.34 over the very hilly terrain, and veteran Dickie Wythe in 10^th, a minute back. First woman home was the club’s Jenny Moore in 43.55. There was a good showing by a number of the women members competing, some of whom have joined the Club after the recent successful Running Sisters course organised by the Club. Some of the Harriers are now in training for the Cotswold Way relay at the end of the month and found the course an excellent hilly sharpener for that.

Other positions and times:

46^th Paul Chadwick 48.38;

153^rd Lisa Hayne and Jacqueline Curtiss 61.56;

190^th Caroline Moule 67.36;

200^th Mary Harrington 69.43;

223^rd Kay Franklin 73.51;

WELL DONE ALL!

(Harriers can you write a better report? If so contact the webmaster…or write a report after the next race you compete in and send it to Bob and Paul)