Abbeydore summer off-road, race 2

On a warm, dry evening, markedly different from the drenched conditions a year ago, 161 runners set off on Mervyn’s slightly adapted course. There were 2 casualties on the first steep downward grassy slope (one being Ashley C), and a further one at the bottom of the hayfield, so only 158 completed a demanding course. Eliot failed to win, on his birthday, beaten by Jonny Pugh (34.09) and Tim Iveson (35.33), with Stacey (36.25) catching him up. Toby ran a very fine race, 8th (38.13) and 1st JM. Young(!) Nigel too ran really well (18th, 39.32), just pipping Dave G (39.51). Richard (48th, 44.15) is regaining his old form, beating Steve Herington. Frank too is gradually moving up through the fields in each race (66th, 46.23), finishing 30 seconds ahead of Ian P, and 2 minutes in front of me, despite my seeing Frank only just across the field, but with a steep up and down for me to accomplish before the line. Sam was our first lady on the night (87th, 49.06), but closely followed by the indefatigable Sue (90th, 49.17), second FV50 . Clare (111th, 51.18) and Carol (124th, 53.20) finished apparently undaunted by the demands of the course, and Tom (possibly daunted?) finished just behind Clare, in 113th (51.31), well ahead of brother Brian, nearly 2 minutes further back. In the team event we slipped to 5th, but still quite close to Monross and Couriers, who had more runners out at Abbeydore than our northern based Croft Ambrey. The B team was 14th (but only just behind 11th), and the C team 24th.