Race 6 on Route 2 of Tha Sprunce resulted in both course records being broken by Sally Fawcett (41:25) and Andy Heyes (29:47), who also ran away with this week’s handicap. Several of the age category records were also lowered. Sally assures me that she will go sub 40 in the next couple of weeks. No pressure!
Willy Kitchen improved his time by no less than 7 minutes and has generously offered advice which others may care to follow… “Turns out fresh legs, no chafing, decent shoes, cooler conditions, and no sh1t in the middle improves your performance.”
If there was a prize for persistence in these races then Ken Jones would have hobbled away with it this week. His report…
“Had 3 attempts at it this week.
1st attempt, Sat morning in an unexpected slow time of 53 mins 22 secs. Took a fall running up Rivelin Rough negotiating hidden tree roots, but that didn’t explain being over 2 mins slower. So tried again:-
2nd attempt, Tues morning. Went much faster this time until I took a big head tumble after the Wyming Brook Car Park just before the second of the two wall corners. Slightly disorientated I pulled myself together and dashed off to make up for lost time, only to find myself back at the first wall corner arriving from a strange and unexplainable direction! I decided it best if I walked slowly and sheepishly back to the Sportsman. A definite DNF. So tried again:-
3rd attempt, Wed morning. More determined this time. Put on my finest fell shoes for extra grip but once again slipped/tripped and took a tumble running up Rivelin Rough. However, managed to finish in 51 mins 31 secs. Still half a minute slower than last week, but after 3 attempts and 3 falls I’ve had enough.”
Race 7 on the same course is now open.
