Shifted from the forum to the more obvious race report section...doh

For those interested in such things, results are up for the ‘Endurance Life’ Dartmoor Mountain Marathon.

http://www.endurancelife.com/assets/results/2010_dmm10_nav_overall.htm

Croups on Tour did the Medium Score Event (the most popular of the various events on offer), bagging as many controls/points as possible in 6 hours (day 1) and 5 hours (day 2), and avoiding time penalties in the process:

13th Caroline Dallimore + Nick Dallimore, MIXV, 345 pts D1, 360 pts D2 (total 705 pts)
44th Tim O'Sullivan + Graeme Donnan 611 MV 275 pts D1, 270 pts D2 (total 545 pts)

83 pairs of runners took part. Caroline and Nick stormed round (as ever) and were the first Mixed Vet Team home. Graeme and myself (me standing in for Ian from San Dom) took pictures, took turns with the trekking pole and ate lots...

The race started and finished in Princetown, home of The Prison and all things granite. The course was rather clever, Day 1, sky as grey as granite, a semi circular tour de Tors, heading North and then SE through the more rugged hills, tussocks, gorse and of course boggy bog. Graeme tried hard to break his ankle (again), this time by tripping over a mountain (those in Dartmoor are all rather small...). I also got a blister (with Inov8s – who would have thought it ?!) and whinged about gorse, a rather mean spirited form of vegetation.

Following an overnight camp adjacent to Dartmeet (“Home of Pixiland’ - seriously...), complete with a communal bonfire (no guitars thank god...), river (with hot and cold running midges) and some gentle overnight rain, Sunday was a brighter affair (a little too much so for The Don and myself). The route options took us SW and then N through lower lying but more varied landscape packed with what looked like Neolithic urinals, ‘leats’ (drainage canals), deserted settlements (Devon’s very own Highland Clearances maybe ?), forest trail (where we even managed some running), lots of water features and a very strategically placed ice cream van (luckily I had money). Graeme’s insistence that we stop for a 99 (even though we only had 60 mins to get home) was an act of truly great inspirational leadership. Fiennes has much to learn...

We rounded off the weekend by stopping for a much needed bath, diving into the Dart at Spitchwick (as recommended by The Grauniad’s ‘Wild Swim’ guide), startling the local, disturbing a young couple and polluting the river in the process.

This is the first time that Endurance Life have done one of these (some in the club may have come across them when doing the Gower Marathon/HM as part of their popular Coastal Trail series of races) and so we were a little unsure what to expect. There were a few glitches (e.g. G & I having to explain how to attach a dibber !). The complexity of the MM event (route planning, getting access permissions of land owners, H&S, logistics of laying out and recovering all those electronic gizmos etc) must be a logistical nightmare though and most races (OMM, Saunders, LAMM and more recently the RAB) seem to be based on years of tried and tested formulae (aka The Castles ?), all supported by a large band of very experienced helpers and volunteers of orienteering / fell running / Northern stock.

The contrast over the weekend could not have been greater – the Endurance organising team had an average age of about 22, spoke Southern Hemisphere, smiled lots, chatted, used language like ‘radical’, drove flashy vans with kayaks on the roof, gave us all medals (unheard of for a MM). Also seemed to be lots of young/first time MMs taking part (hence presumably us not finishing last ?!) drawn to the event by the new organisers. I’m not sure about the playing of what I believe to be ‘pop music’ over speakers at the finish though. To compound the age gap, one of their number asked me if I was “OK” when I was spotted hobbling at overnight camp. In 200+ races no one has ever asked if I was OK !! The walking stick may have been a factor...

In short, a great new event in a relatively local location, organised by some very keen people who will hopefully lay on a similar party for us all next year. Highly recommend - a welcome addition to the MM family.

Some of the rubbish pics I took are on the off-road site (thanks Matt !)



I'm glad to say that one of our members is still running for us in Australia. Andy Mundy moved there a little while ago and has sent us this race report.........

Well at a ‘nice’ and early 7am on Sunday 2^nd May the starter’s gun went off and the National Capital Marathon in Canberra, Australia had started. Therefore I was about to find out if all those training runs up to Castle Coch and that sleet affected Llanelli half marathon last year would pay off!

The run was part of a weekend running festival with younger people doing a variety of fun and shorter distance runs on the Saturday with a half marathon, marathon and an ultra, which is 50k and approximately 31 miles. As the weather can get pretty hot in Australia (with temperatures in January being up to 41 C!) the run was starting at an early 7am which unfortunately meant that as the sun was only just rising it was a very cold 6 C and this proved that running shorts and Les Croups vests don’t keep you too warm! However as the run started I soon warmed up and it was nice to take parts of the capital city with the run going past the old and new parliament buildings and past the National Museum. With my lack of hearing I had no idea what they were saying but during the run quite a few runners would point at the running top and give me a big thumbs up, so it seems the Aussies were happy to see a fellow runner from Cardiff.

The training over previous months seemed to be helping as running slightly slower than I would for a half marathon I still clocked 1 hour 42 minutes and then felt that a 3 hour 30 minutes finish was on the cards, however around about 21 miles I suddenly  ‘hit the wall’ that I have heard many runners mention and with my legs starting to hurt and my mind urging me to stop and walk, my time per mile started increasing. However the clapping and cheering of the supporters really did help me keep on running and entering the stadium I was very happy to have finished my first marathon in 3 hours 42 minutes.

Not sure what race next but will definitely do another marathon and hope London 2011 will be an option and good to hear about those from Les Croups who took part this year.

All the best to all at Les Croups.

Andy

URL of  saved route (distance is not 100% accurate):

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3579888 
 

All part of the challenge though and a week after a good run for me at Atlantic College on a similarly undulating course, although not as winding or as steep. On raceday, championship points were looking good for me with the fastest guys in the club at the San Domenico 20, in Berlin, or otherwise engaged.  Mick Mcgeoch and Lyndon Tudor-Maisey were my closest competitors from Les Croupiers, and Lyndon had dropped out because he was ill – no foul play on my part!  I’m running about the same pace as Mick this spring so I stay with Mick for the first 3k, as I did at Atlantic College  I started to pull away from him after 5k, and by the 9th k I was looking to see if he was on my shoulder anymore.  Mick has said that hills don’t suit him, even downhill, and I can believe this as I got in front of him on Atlantic College too, we’ll see what happens on the flat later this year!  The 9th k though is great for me, all downhill and I make up some time lost on the uphill sections. I catch up with the fourth place lady and my pace is looking good for a sub 38min finish which was my goal. The last k is fairly flat, I am getting tired but holding my ground and I see what looks like a finish line a couple of hundred metres away so I change up a gear for a fast finish (not exactly a sprint though, I am too tired for that).  Unfortunately it’s not the finish line it’s a line of bunting where the course turns off the main road and round into the finishing straight.  I’m strong enough to hold my position though and as I am about to run across the finish line I see 37:36 on the race clock.  I am well pleased with this and the usual post-race swapping of times takes place in it’s usual sporting way.  The other Les Croups have performed well, Mick, shortly after me, and Scott Hemmens beating 40 mins, John Davies and Gary John also reportedly had a good race.  The publishing of the results for this race is often slow so I’ve been told, but I do have a file of the results e-mailed to me by Scott Hemmens who e-mailed one of the organisers.   These results will be available via this report or on the Results pages of this website at some point in time. 

For a small race there was a large prize fund (about £2400 in total, £500 first male, £100 first vet, £300 first lady etc) and this drew a competitive field. There were 211 finishers, the top ten were all under 34 mins, and on a course like this where you can add a minute onto your current form that is very fast. To give you an idea look at the top twenty in the results which should appear soon.  

Overall I had a good experience of the race. As I was approaching Port Talbot on the M4 I was glad that the course is in Cwmafan a couple of miles north of all the industry, and the air quality at the race certainly seemed good.  While the course was challenging the uphill didn’t slow me down too much (all those Monday night hill sessions!) and there were some fast sections.  Directions to parking were clearly sign-posted and the route was well marshalled.  A complimentary cake was a surprise after the race and the goodie-bag was well stocked.  Credit must go to the organisers for their efforts.

Matt Hurford

Selected results:

Fifteen of the seventeen entrants reported for competition, and the race got underway promptly at 10.00 AM. Most athletes start a 40 mile race at a relatively sedate pace. Mark Roberts of Swansea Harriers, however, covered the first 400 metre circuit in 82 seconds, which was 13 seconds quicker than anyone else. Early strategies over so long an event reveal much about the athlete’s race expectations; and as a former winner of both Cardiff and Snowdonia Marathons, Mark was determined to “go for it”. After 10 of the 161 circuits he had lapped the entire field, and he then ran with the second placed athlete and defending champion, George Dayantis from Christchurch Runners for a few minutes, almost as a respite before setting out again.

This established a pattern that was to repeat itself, with Mark seemingly running in bursts. By five miles, reached in 28:52, he had established almost a three minute advantage over George (31:42). In 3^rd place at this juncture was Robert Hall-McNair from Hinckley (33:01), who was making his Barry debut and was looking effortless. Sean McCormack from Abergele in North Wales came next, clocking 34:50 and aiming to run at seven minute miling for as long as possible.

The ladies race was much less clear cut. Jen Salter, from host club Les Croupiers was making a brisk start, but was being tracked by Emily Gelder of Dulwich Runners, and their 5 mile split was 36:26. Both ladies are relative newcomers to the world of ultra distance, but both had ambitious plans for more endurance races in the near future. Both also were contesting the Welsh championship incorporated within the event. Sharon Gayter from North York Moors AC followed in 41:25, closely pursued by former triple Welsh ultra champion, Loretta Daley in 42:08.

The second five miles was pretty much a mirror image of the first. Mark Roberts continued to extend his lead over George Dayantis, albeit still running in surges, and his time of 58:34 revealed an advantage of over four and a half minutes, with George on 63:07. Robert Hall-McNair remained in third (66:23) and Sean McCormack in fourth (70:13).

Jen Salter and Emily Gelder were still running together at 10 Miles with Jen always a stride ahead, and both looking ominously comfortable in 73:38 – a very fast pace considering the distance. Loretta Daley had moved into third (84:05) from Sharon Gayter in fourth (85:07). The sun was shining, the weather was benign and everyone was running well. Seemingly, everything was going to plan.

It may be a well worn phrase, but the only predictable thing about ultra distance is its unpredictability. Of the fifteen starters, Sharon Gayter came to the race with the most experience. She had been the UK No: 1 lady at 24 hours for 13 seasons, and was No: 4 in the world in 2009 at that event having won the Commonwealth Games Gold at Keswick last September. Just four weeks previously Sharon had won the Trans Slovenia Four Day Race, a distance of 220 kms in the snow. Surely 40 miles wasn’t going to provide a challenge? Normally not, but only when the race got underway did Sharon realise that she still hadn’t fully recovered from Slovenia. Tough situations call for tough decisions, and with the World Championship 24 Hour event in May an obvious priority, Sharon opted for a “strategic withdrawal”.

The second unpredictable event occurred after 18 miles. By now Mark Roberts was over a mile ahead, but unbeknown to most observers had recently been suffering from asthma brought on by tree pollen. Breathing and running at six minute miling was becoming an issue. Lap 72 saw Mark having to stop to receive attention from paramedic Rhodri Thomas, which cost him five minutes. Although Mark was to resume running, his advantage over George Dayantis had been cut from four laps to just one, and his rhythm compromised.

The halfway mark was reached by Mark in 2:05:30, with George now looking a real danger on 2:07:11. Robert Hall-McNair was still third and looking good in 2:14:15, with Sean McCormack maintaining his early pace well and still fourth in 2:21:38.

By 20 miles the position in the ladies race had changed considerably. Emily Gelder had taken the lead on Lap 46 and had sped up as a result. She was looking very smooth and comfortable, and perhaps more importantly, confident. Her time of 2:24:39 had created a six minute advantage over Jen Salter (2:30:37). By contrast, Jen had found the second ten miles tougher, and a stitch had interrupted her earlier rhythm. Loretta Daley was maintaining well in third place and a halfway split of 2:53:24 indicated that a sub six hour clocking was possible.

Fourteen of the fifteen starters had made it to halfway, but there were to be more withdrawals soon after. Sadly but not unexpectedly, Mark Roberts’ breathing difficulties were to re-emerge, and a withdrawal after 22 miles became the only realistic and safe option. Mark has since declared that he intends to return next year, and we wish him well. Andrew Richards and Paul Tranter also both retired around this juncture, leaving eleven athletes to continue running. Both have completed the Barry 40 in the past and we hope both will return to do so again.

After the disappointment of the withdrawals, attention switched to the new leader and defending champion, George Dayantis. George had impressed everyone last year with his bold front-running tactics and gun to tape victory, and yet twelve months on he was 3 minutes quicker at halfway. Could he hold on? During the third quarter all looked well. He continued to extend his lead and his time at the marathon mark of 2:48:20 represented a new personal best. His time of 3:14:54 at 30 miles meant that his lead had increased to over 12 minutes and in doing so he revised his Greek national record for this distance, which he set last year. A further Greek record came at 50 km, with the clock showing 3:22:50, again eclipsing his 2009 time, which was set when surpassing the previous national best, set by ultra legend Yiannis Kouros.

However, the distance and pace were beginning to take their toll. George began to slip outside the time he’d run last year. Also, the northerly wind, which had been a gentle breeze at the start, was freshening. It wasn’t strong, but when you’re pushing yourself to the limit for so long, it’s an irritation you can do without. Whilst his advantage was still lengthening, you could sense that the business end of the race was becoming a struggle. Having said that, George was still a magnificent winner in 4:31:19, and it will take a very talented and determined athlete to deny him a hat-trick in 2011.

The battle for second and third was interesting.  Robert Hall-McNair and Sean McCormack had run virtually solitary races from the off, and had both judged their effort well. They ran together, although actually four laps apart for a time, and it became apparent that Sean was beginning to look the better of the two, even though the gap was never going to close sufficiently for their positions to change. Robert came home a very impressive runner-up in 4:47:46, with Sean an excellent third in 4:52:08, with a Welsh ultra distance championship an added bonus.

There was a flurry of excitement concerning the fourth athlete to finish. For a long time it looked as if it was going to be Emily Gelder, who had run her heart out to win the ladies race. You don’t often see a sprint finish in an ultra race, but sprinting was an accurate description of Jeremy Mower as he caught and passed Emily with just 300 metres to go. Jeremy’s time of 5:03:52 earned him an excellent Welsh silver medal, and was a personal best time by 8 minutes.

For Emily, losing the sprint finish was a minor detail. Hers was a brilliant run, and a new championship record in 5:04:14 and gold medal will delight her. Having only run her first ultra just over a year ago, she is clearly improving rapidly. Jen Salter, in finishing in sixth place and second lady, should take great pride in an excellent Barry debut in 5:19:21. It certainly bodes well for her assault on Marathon des Sables next month. Loretta Daley had a fantastic run to finish third lady, and scarcely slowed at all in the second half. Her clocking of 5:55:15 represented a huge improvement of 10 minutes over her previous best run at Barry.     

Whilst technically a race, ultra distance athletes tend to be chasing very personal goals. This was certainly the case with local athlete Gary Hyatt who was contesting the event for the twelfth time. A recent increase in training mileage paid handsome dividends as Gary recorded 5:47:45, his fastest time for 6 years, and a bronze medal in the Welsh Championship. Now 62, a very welcome personal landmark came in establishing new Welsh age 60 records at 30 miles, 50 kms and 40 miles, the final time being 15 minutes quicker than Syd Wheeler’s mark in 2002. Not only that, team Hyatt (wife Pip and daughters Kate and Sally) were on hand throughout the day to provide much needed refreshments for the army of officials, as well as recording Gary’s lap by lap progress.

The performances of Geoff Oliver continue to amaze and inspire. Now 76, Geoff’s obvious intentions were to set new world best marks for the Age group 75-79, and for a long time this was a realistic plan. Geoff first two 10 mile segments were covered in 82:24 and 84:14, meaning that he could slow by a minute a mile and still set a world best for 30 miles. Sadly, it wasn’t to be. A pit stop after 22 miles cost 5 minutes, and Geoff never seemed quite able to recover his earlier rhythm. Having said that, his remarkable determination shone through and he still completed the distance in 6:32:27. This meant that he had to settle for merely revising his own British best marks for his age group for 30 miles, 50 kms and 40 miles.

All in all, it was another fascinating chapter in what has become an iconic event. Many thanks are due to all who came, but a special mention must go to ground staff Bill Cooke and Mike Dodds whose help and support was greatly appreciated.

Mick

Three members of the club were in the top 20 finishers with Nicky Dukes leading the club home in a PB time of 33:53 and inflicting a rare defeat on Stuart Crees who recorded 34:06. Three women runners, Cath Tailby, Helen Jessop and Liz (Buster) Merrifield were among the top ten lady finishers. Helen Jessop also recorded a PB in 43:45. Other athletes performing well were Matt Hurford (36:41) and Sandy Johnson who was first over 60 in a time of 38:39. Several runners including Dave Headon (38:06) had run the previous day in the 20 miles Round the Lakes race (I cant spell Ryadyr).

By the way, the race was won by Richard Gardiner (CAAC) in 31:10 while Anne-Marie Hutchison won the ladies race in 36:51 after running 7 miles prior to the race. Mick was happy with her performance because he hopes to be able to run fast enough to pace her in London.

Derek

After declaring our team present and correct, it was time to expose flesh, face the photographers and eye up, with a mixture of awe and fascination, the other runners.  Just before the gun went off we were quite literally herded into our pens.  A lamb (or maybe mutton) to the slaughter….

The course – 1 short loop, followed by 3 laps approx 2km each

A brief summary of the race as I remember

• Short loop – run hard, soak in the atmosphere, run harder
• Lap 1- run hard, enjoy the support, even manage a half-smile, run hard, keep pushing
• Lap 2 – run hard, appreciate the support ++, try to keep pushing
• Lap 3 – aren’t we there yet?, try (and fail) to push more when our wonderful support roared even louder than before, just keep running if the legs allow, beg for the finish

Obviously the rest of team might have a very different perspective on it.  This is how I would report their runs.

Les Croups ladies – giving it their all

• Katie – mixing it with some über-legged athletes
• Maria – overcoming pre-race nerves to do herself justice, keeping very strong to the end
• Jen –  true grit and determination to get round and finish - I heard from reliable sources that she was definitely only running one leg
• Liz – a tough run, but receiving plenty of truly well earned cheers all the way

Overall an amazing experience and very proud to have had the opportunity to wear a Croups vest at a team event of this nature. Well done team!! Enjoyable?  Mmm.  Well definitely earnt the post-race celebrations, and thankfully our team captain let us make the most of those! Thanks Phil and thanks to the groupies for their support during the race and company after. We are definitely still the best club in the world…

Libby

Right, lets get this thread started!

Weather - Dry, cold, cloudy with a slight breeze.
Course - Firm with a few heavier sections. Mainly flat with only one real uphill and downhill. (3 laps)
Distance - 9.7K (I think it was shorter than this though)

Arrive at the venue feeling pretty good to be fair, have been banging the miles lately but sessions have been going well so quite confident. Jogged a mile or so supporting the ladies, particularly Katie and Maria who are currently flying!! Looked like the course would suit me as you could get a decent rhythm.

At the start, the field looked at bit thin but usual suspects were there. Gun goes and Phil and Mark take off. I settle down around 800m in and feel good. Started picking off the fast starters including Pete Coles. By the end of the first lap the field was quite spread out. Phil (currently flying in sessions) had pulled away from Mark and Mark was very slowly coming back to me. Dukes was fairly close behind so had to keep that gap as he is a strong finisher. Matt Collins (Cardiff AC) then strolled past (taking it easy to start obviously) and fancied a chat, I politely told him to f' off....Things stayed the same until half way around the last lap where I managed to catch Mark. Feeling ok decided to test him, didn't work, he stuck with me, a bit of cat and mouse, and then pulled away by a couple of seconds in the last 400m. Phil was about 30 secs ahead and Nick had not managed to close the gap behind (got him on the xc at last!), Mark clenched his fist at the end after a great race between us. Will have you Blaise my boy......

I think we placed well as a team. The other Cardiff team who wear blue should take note....

I'm not sure what everyone else's positions were but all seemed to steam in behind pretty quick.

One more to go 'thank god' then we can back back on the road. BRING ON THE SUMMER.

Seriously, it was a enjoyable day (shame the bluebirds lost) and finished off well when one of the San Dom girls came over with free cake. I never say no to free cake as a few on here know.

I think I have just bored myself with this report however...........Back to work (where's the coffee)

Peace out dudes..

Stu



Any race reports can be sent in to the web team and swiftly added to the site.

Don't forget than you can keep abreast of what is new on the site by checking the link in the bottom left of the side bar marked 'Recent Updates'.