The first Saturday of June saw the 38th running of the South Downs 100 mile relay (one of the three we compete in each year) with Winchester Running Club making its debut with both a Mixed and Veterans Team. Teams compete over x stages with each runner completing y legs or between z and q kms in a baton? style relay (is it or is it a timed start) with the support of drivers drivers are trying to get the resulting in more stellar performances on this the most special and toughest of days.
Mixed Team
A truly, tremendous day for the team of George Belfied, Magnus Gregory, Alex Lane, Adrian Faulty, Caroline Carr and Ellie Swire.
Adrian (who also won leg 11 and 15) brushed off most of the competition on leg 4 being 2nd fastest of the day (only 1 minute behind the ultimate overall event winners Brighton and Hove AC ‘A’ Team) covering one of the longest legs (7 miles) in 44 mins 30 secs.
Alex (who also won leg 3) stormed leg 9 in the third fastest of the day (28 mins 30 secs over 4.1miles) with only Brighton and Hove ‘A’ and Phoenix ‘A’ (overall 1st and 2nd from 52 teams) ahead – and leading the field of mixed teams.
With George winning leg 7 and Magnus, leg 14, the mixed team won the category on 7 of the 18 legs during the course of the day. With an anticipated overall time of 12 hours the mixed team screamed home in 11 hours and 20 minutes, 40 minutes ahead of estimate. The team finished were pipped at the post to finish second overall in their category, just 3 mins and 29 secs behind the winners, Ranelagh. Over the 100 mile distance that is just 2 secs a mile.
Veterans Team
The veterans team of Andy Parkinson, Karla Borland, Stephen Lowy, Dean Rawlins, Justin Corrie and Paul Horler also had a fantastic day.
Justin was fastest veteran home in Leg 5 covering the 5.1m leg in 35 mins 49 secs and scooped glory from Dan Cunnington’s previous (for another club) record on leg 11 by 1 second (39 mins 49 secs v 39 mins 50 seconds!)
Last minute team changes go with the territory in this race so the legend that is Andy Parkison stepped up to the plate without hesitation to join the Veterans, buddying up with George Belfield on some of the toughest legs 1 and 13…. To add to the excitement they were joined by extra special company in the form of a random herd of sheep just as it looked like leg 7 was safely done and dusted!
The veterans team finished in a time of 12 hr 34 mins, and won the accolade of most accurate estimate (organisers LOVE this!) by being within 4 mins 30 sec of their overall expected elapsed time for the day. Against some very tough competition (several previous A / men’s team winners have moved up to the veterans category) WRC performed brilliantly and finished respectably mid pack.
Support Team
The day couldn’t go ahead without the brilliant drivers (Bruce Ayling, Kate Green, Jackie ) and fab Marshals led by Sarah Witt and supported by Kevin Frisby, James Moore, John Reed, Bracken and many many more.
A great day – well done and thank you to all!