Club run weekly update
This week started well – on Tuesday some of us did a social run on the Beast route as a final ‘recce’ of the course, making sure the path was clear of nettles and the not blocked by fallen trees etc. Then we received the news that we no longer have permission to use Forestry Commission land, so Jerome and Martin P went out late on Wednesday night and found a new route! Well done guys! Thursday’s run was then changed to make sure the new route was suitable, and also to clear any paths that needed clearing.
Races
On Saturday, Martin D took on the Running Events Devon Summer Challenge. This was a lap event, where Martin completed 9 laps for 29.6 miles in total, in a very reasonable time of 5:33:43. Well done Martin.
The big club event of the weekend was the Ham & Lyme Ultra, by Albion Running. 5 (or 6 – not sure of Leah is a member still?) club members took on the 50km challenge, with over 1000m of elevation.
George B finished in 20th place, with a time of 5:06 – a fantastic effort to finish Top 20. Not far behind were Martin P finishing in 5:16 in 30th place, and Darren K and Scott both finishing together in 5:35. Sue finished in 6:38, whist Leah also took part finishing in 6:35, doing very well after coming back from injury. Amazing efforts all round.
On Sunday, Iain and Ben took on the challenge of the Beast. By all accounts they survived.
Ben going so fast he was a blur, and Iain… had had enough by then
We also had a couple of international events on Sunday. Jerome was in Mauritius for the Mauritus Marathon, the self-claimed “most beautiful track in the world”. Jerome finished in 5:05 on a flat coastal route.
Back in France for the second time in a month, Darren N did the Ironman 70.3 Les Sables d’Olonne. After a 2km swim and a 90km bike ride, he still managed the half marathon section in 2:15. Bravo et très bien!
The Beast
Finally for this weekly update I have to mention the Beast. Thank you to Race Director Lindsey, who had an especially difficult year this year after both 2020 and 2021 were postponed. Then made even more challenging with the last minute change of route! Also a big well done to all the marshalls for helping out – with out everyone being on board the event could not go ahead. There will be more news on the Beast on the race’s page at www.quantockharriers.co.uk/the-quantock-beast
