Rodney’s Pillar

Race Reports

On maybe the warmest evening of the year (what a difference a fortnight can make!), Gary and I, and Dave Thomlinson formerly of Croft, made our way up to North Shropshire and the delights of a run up to Rodney’s Pillar on the Breidden Hills. We warmed up, literally, on the steadily climbing track, and then we were off, climbing for about 1km on the track, before branching steeply up through a bit of woodland (a chance to walk, and catch breath), then out into the blinding sunshine, climbing further until an upward glance showed Rodney on his pillar and the runners at the summit backlit by the evening sun. Then the inevitable hurtle downhill, knowing Gary had me in his sights, but I had no idea how far back or when he’d pass me. As we came out of the wooded section again I knew from the sound of the crashing and splashing behind me that it was the downhill virtuoso. Gary crossed the finish line in 31.00 (41st), 1st MV65, with me 17 seconds behind (43rd), 1st MV70. With three races down now in the series (we both missed the Wrekin Streak), we run at Pontesbury next week.

After 4 races, and with 125 points given to the first runner in each race, decreasing to nothing if you come in 125th or lower, the two Garys are tied on 210 pts (tho’ Gary P has run one race fewer) in 43rd=, Pat is 56th (184 pts from 2 races), I am 61st (179, from 3 races ) and Tom has run only one race, so figures low down amongst the 249 qualifiers.

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Rodney’s Pillar

News

Just two Croft runners made the trip to Criggion for this fell race of almost 4 miles, held on a cool summers evening ideal for running. Gary G again excelled coming in 24th overall and 1st over 65 in 30mins 16 secs.
Tom D finished 39th overall, 1st over 60 (due to the poor standard of over 60’s!) in 33:27.
The race was won by Paul Jones of Mercia in 24:05 and there were 62 finishers.

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