Not entirely sure whether they broke its back, or it broke theirs, but very many congratulations either way to Rob Baker (2nd overall), Greg Crowley (10th overall – apologies for missing you off previous posts, Greg) and Nicky Spinks (3rd woman and 17th overall).
Out of 80-odd starters, just 29 completed the full five days, but it sounds like a good time was had by all (in a completely exhausted kind of a way). Steve Birkinshaw lead from start to finish, with Helene Whitaker seemingly getting stronger every day to finish fourth overall. Wendy Dodds was last home on the final day, evidently carrying a painful injury, making it three out of four successful completions for the veterans of the first race.
Epic stuff, and no doubt Rob, Greg and Nicky will have some tales to tell. So might Matthew Davis (8th), but we can’t quite decide whether he’s a DP member too … can anyone help?
Day 4 – Rob 2nd overall still, but lost an hour to the leader today; still three hours ahead of third place though, so looking good for second overall. Nicky’s 15th and third woman. Report at: http://www.sleepmonsters.com/racereport.php?page_action=rep&race_id=9939&article_id=7755 and results to date at http://results.sportident.co.uk/home/multistage.html?multistageid=956664fe-a59f-4fa1-b03e-8218910d0e52
Day 3 – Rob still 2nd, having run the whole day in the company of leader Steve Birkinshaw; he’s more than three hours ahead of the third placed runner, but it seems he has a difficult choice to make with two more very tough days to go: “I only entered this a month ago,” he said, “and it’s not my priority for the year. I also said I would not be madly competitive and am really happy with my position so far …. but … if I want to make a race of it I have to do it tomorrow. The trouble is Steve is so good at what he does, and I’ve never run this far before so if I race it I could blow up completely … we’ll have to see how it goes.”
Nicky is now 12th overall and has dropped to 3rd woman behind Helene Whitaker and Liz Barker, who lead her by roughly five and three hours respectively. Pulling back that kind of deficit will require something very special.
For full story, see http://www.dragonsbackrace.com/news/2012/09/05/A_Long_Way_to_Nowhere/
Dragons Back Day 2 – Rob 2nd, briefly ‘cragbound’, and still 2nd overall, 51mins behind Steve Birkinshaw; Nicky 11th overall, ‘took scenic routes so lost some time’ and 2nd woman behind Helene Whitaker.
The Dragons Back Day 1 – a brisk jog over the Welsh 3000’s to warm up.
Rob Baker 2nd behind Steve Birkinshaw. Rob was reputed to have said last week “if I’m up with the leaders then I’m going too fast” – so he is apparently going too fast.
Nicky is leading but had a low patch suffering from dehydration.
Rob here: http://www.sleepmonsters.com/racereport.php?page_action=gal&gallery_id=1735&race_id=9939&offset=8
Very brief passing of Nicky: http://youtu.be/a4X2uocjk54