racejournal

Race Journal

Race report for The Rowbottoms Round Rotherham 81km
(50mile) Team Relay Trail race 2012

First, what a Great team effort to win this ever popular event, with
runners coming from all parts of the country, some from overseas, every
one gave 100%. Like Martin Luther King “I too had a Dream” that one
day Clowne RR would enter a team that would challenge the likes of
Maltby, Rotherham, Kimberworth and many more clubs from the
Yorkshire area, even had a team from Dumfries and Galloway entered.
If I could get eight of our top runners interested in running a stage of the
relay, I knew we stood a good chance of winning.   This is where the
hard work comes in, so between myself and Andy W. we managed to
muster a team together.
We sorted the runners strengths to the conditions of each stage, we
needed a good start so over to you Darren K. and what a start he gave
us. Running from the start at Wath through Elsecar, Wentworth, Thorpe
Hesley to Grange near Kimberworth (mud, old railway lines and some
good inclines on the way) he handed over to Simon S with a lead over
Kimberworth (the defending champions) running his stage of 11 miles in
1-07-00.   Simon S. took stage 2, (6.5 miles) this section drops down
into the Tinsley Valley, twisting and turning along railway tracks, river
banks, canal towpaths, some industrial units and by the side of Sheffield
Airport to finish at Treeton Cricket Ground. Kimberworth had fought
back and the lead had been eaten away, we were now down by
20sec. But Simon had given everything on his difficult stage as he came
up the hill to hand over to Gareth L.   Confidence was building knowing
who was to run our later stages and Kimberworth had run their better
runners on stages 1 and 2 . While out driving the support car it was
mentioned to me “I hear Clowne are trying for it today” “ We're not here
to come 2nd” was my reply “Oh we'll see” he returned.
  Gareth's stage took him from Treeton to Harhill (7.5 miles) passing
through The Rother Valley Country Park then to follow the old
Chesterfield canal at Norwood, on under the M1 motorway to Woodall
to finish in Harthill. Another great run. We were now 4mins up on
Kimberworth and with Andy W. on the next stage (Harthill to
Woodsetts almost 6 miles) we were sure of an even greater lead.
Andy's stage took him by The Netherthorpe Airfield on toThe
Chesterfield Canal to the picturesque hamlet of Turner Wood, over
Lindrick Golf Course and to the stage finish at Woodsetts. Andy
stormed in extending our lead to over 9 mins, surely we couldn't be
caught now and with Andy P. taking over we were even more sure.
  Woodsetts to Old Firbeck passing through the Gildingwells and
Langold Lake area (9.1km) and some good fast stretches meant that the
support car would not have to hang about to get to the stage finish before
Andy. (we had waited at Woodsetts to see what lead we had). We didn't
have to wait long before Andy flew down the lane to the village hall to
hand over to Dave H. The Team had covered 58km at this stage in 3 hrs
45 mins. Stage 6 is one of the shorter scenic stages, (4 miles) into the
hamlet of Stone and on by Roche Abbey into Maltby. Dave ran so fast
that the support car arrived to see Lewis B. setting off on his stage. The
lead was now 13 mins and with only 2 stages to go the flags were being
unfurled!   We knew Lewis wouldn't lose any time over his stage which
took him from Maltby church to Micklebring, on under the M18
motorway to Hooton Roberts then down fields to Old Denaby.   Bert W.
had no idea how much lead we had when he set off on the final leg to the
finish at Wath Leisure Centre, a distance of just over 3 miles, but he
wasn't going to let his team mates down, he had recced his leg so that he
had a plan if the level crossing was closed when he came to cross it. As
the stage was 3 mile as soon as Bert set off the support cars followed, as
they had to take a longer route to Wath and the finish, we wanted to be
there for the photos!!    I don't think Mo Farah would have caught Bert
over the last 200mts. FANTASTIC. It was good to see some of the
earlier runners following the team to the finish to give support. A great
team effort. I'll get everyone's split times as they are published on the
Rotherham Website
   We finished (I say we, but it was really The Team) in 5hrs 13mins and
a new record time for the relay by 7 mins. ( Rotherham H. “men in
black” 1998 5h 20m )   Until 2009 the event was held in December,
more runners/walkers now it is in October, and until 1991 it was 78km.
in distance.
4 other members of the club completed the individual event,   Simon
Gregory, Roger Fokinther, Dave and Dan Keeling finishing 13th team,
over 300 Walkers/Runners took part, not including the 18 relay teams.
A great achievement for the Club. Thanks to the team of
Darren King, Simon Sleney, Gareth Lowe, Andy Ward, Andy Padley,
Dave Hazelton,
Lewis Banton and Bert Wain   you did the club proud.
Maybe we will have another GO next year!!!! and why not a mixed team
as well??

             J.P.