Despite seemingly missing a 'star' or few, the assembled crack DPFR open team put in an absolutely quality performance to get bronze medals on Sunday.
The race began with a long pairs legs over to West Lomond, where Oli Johnson and new recruit Ralph Street, were well placed in the leading pack. Ralph admits he found it tough on the return climb back up West Lomond again, but the youngster was soon pacing old man Johnson (oli old? Never!) down the gently sloping return, which turned even faster on the final road section. Jogging around in preparation for leg 2 I wasn't exactly sure when to expect the pair back (top 5 would have been nice), so I was a bit surprised and pretty excited when only 30seconds after leaders Shettleston had entered the field dark Peak were announced in 2nd! A sprint to the changeover line was definitely required!! I tried to pace leg 2 well, knowing there was fast running, with 2 short but pretty steep climbs. I briefly glanced that the Edinburgh Uni runner was gaining as we neared summiting East Lomond, but I tried to make a gap on the flatter section around the back. Unfortunately, I was caught just as we punched the East Lomond control for the 2nd time, and on the descent was also overtaken by P&B. But I just had to try and give everything on the run in to set Neil and Rhys up with a chance, and yes, it was the nav leg that was going to prove crucial again. I'm not sure Neil was convinced the navigational leg was going to be that interesting, but the pair certainly found it to their liking having reeled in P&B and Edinburgh Uni by about the furthest point away (West Lomond). With the top 4 teams all having recognised orienteers on this leg, legends Jebb and Holmes running for 5th placed Bingley, and an elite Mercia pair, Oli and myself thought all these teams would do very similar times. With a slight underestimation of the leg winning time there was a slightly nervous wait as Oli, Ralph and myself stood on the road above the changeover. Shettleston past us first with a clear lead, which became what was surely enough to win the race, but about 60seconds later when we first spotted Rhys charging down the road we got pretty excited. P&B weren't far behind (about 30secs) as we cheered Callum off into the woods on final 4th leg. Could it be a medal?? Unfortunately I was sure Danny Hope (P&B) would catch him, but we definitely had a chance, however, would the 3mins over Calder valley and the 3.5mins or so over elite athletes Tim Davies and Alistair Brownlee be enough?! The answer to all that is YES! About 38mins later standing under the trees Shettleston's final runner cruised past us with a comfortable lead. P&B weren't so far behind though, but we had to have a double take when only just 30seconds later Callum absolutely motored off the main track and into the wood! Was there anyone behind him? Not that we could see. GO ON LAD!
So we were 3rd overall, 90seconds down on winners Shettleston, 24 seconds behind P&B. Oli/Ralph and Neil/Rhys both did the second fastest times on their leg. Callum was 6th fastest on 4th leg (overall 8th fastest on the short East Lomond leg!) and I was 7th fastest on 2nd leg.
Getting everything right the week before and on the day of such a relay is a pretty difficult task. However, I think we really managed it this year. If we'd been told we would have finished 3rd we would certainly have accepted that, and judging by everyone's reaction afterwards, bronze was an amazing result. Thank you guys for putting in such quality efforts. What stands out for me is that whilst Dark Peak does have some elite athletes, we aren't an elitist club. We've just come 3rd in the national relay champs, yet we had fun doing it, enjoyed our weekend and felt like we running as a team.
So, a lot can happen in 12 months, but whose up for next year then!?
Rob Little