Two Rivers

With a quarter of the entrants from Croft, we were always going to figure well in the results. 60 runners set off along the forest track, and then down into the woods before the inevitable climb, more track and a steep down before we splashed through a very slimy, smelly farmyard, across the first river that some ran through (to their cost!) and I waded, smelling a little sweeter as I emerged. After narrow grassy tracks we came down to the road and a second ford, with a steep climb beyond before hurtling down ‘deer’ gully (both Tom and the deer anxious to avoid contact this year) to the final sprint along the forest track to the finish. Jon Pugh won in 54.57, with Mark L running a really great race to finish 3rd (56.09). A tired Andrew (now adult!) was 7th (62.06) ahead of Dave G (9th, 62.59) and Mick (10th, 64,57), who together won the team prize. Jordon (in yet another comeback!) was 11th and Martin (still improving – at his age!) 14th. Jon Briggs, Antony and Paul G (who survived a tough baptism) packed in 21st, 22nd and 23rd. Frank overtook me (and Gary) on the last steep climb, to finish 26th, me 27th and Gary 29th ahead of Ashley R 30th. Irina was first lady (75.30), and Sam (like Martin!) delighted to be 2nd lady. Mick was 1st MV55, and I was 1st MV65. Dave G carried away a lot of bottles, so probably won a category prize too – apologies!