Cardingmill Canter – March 8th 2020

Fell races Race Reports

For a club championship race the Croft turnout of 7 was disappointing. Members seem to have voted with their feet, perhaps partly because of the demands of kit – the cost and the need to carry stuff while running.

Anyway, the day dawned bright, and dry, and Cardingmill valley looked lovely in the sunshine, even if the strong westerly wind cut through runners’ thin clothing, and on top, after Cow Ridge, hit us full in the face. The only time I really noticed it benefiting us was as we descended into Cardingmill valley and then briefly as we climbed up out of it.

The race was won, by over a minute, by an ‘outsider’, Matthew Battley, in 41.46. Eric seems to be improving all the while, and was the first Croft runner by quite a margin, finishing in 35th place (54.52). Tim J was struggling after having put his body through the Long Mynd Valleys race the previous week, and two further races mid-week (he did at least give the parkrun a miss). He crossed the line in 84th (65.53), with me a minute behind in 92nd place. Sam also found the going tough, and faded a bit in the second half, taking 71.24 and finishing 111th, ahead of Flora (who also ran the Long Mynd Valleys) who was 118th (73.59), beating Gary (121nd) by a little over 3 minutes. Tom brought up the rear, but still managed to finish with a smile.

No water was available at the finish (so no plastic waste), but hot soup and a roll were served in the Pavilion before the presentations (and the long walk back to car park at the school).

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