Seagrave Wolds Challenge
On a chilly morning in Seagrave 14 Long Eaton Runners prepared to take on the Seagrave Wolds Challenge. The course ran through Wymeswold, along paths, through the grounds of Prestwold Hall, on to Burton-on-the-Wolds, Walton-on-the-Wolds and finishing back in Seagrave. The atmosphere was great and the sun was soon shining on the runners.
The Saturday striders tackled the course together and what a brilliant decision that turned out to be. Led by Sean Matthews, Jon Crannage, Ian Chant, Caroline Waterhouse, Sarah Crannage, Damien Cowlishaw, Vicky Yeomans and Phil Abbott made up the striders team. There was some rough terrain over which the runners had to tackle and Sarah soon reminded them why her nickname is “The Squealer”.
At the first checkpoint refreshments greeted the runners, but the break was short lived as Sean bellowed that the striders needed to hit the road. Over the next mile the striders discussed how to overthrow Sean at the next checkpoint. When the time came, a mutiny ensued forcing Sean to accept a 5-minute tea break. As Phil and Jon took the tea and coffee orders and everyone tucked into cake and chocolate, Ian Wallis sneaked through the checkpoint with a very steely look of determination on his face.
Leaving Prestwold Hall the striders strode on, all smiles after morning tea and Sean continued with words of encouragement and Ian Chant continued an earlier discussion on the winter presentation evening. Discussions moved to a debate on the criteria considered in deciding who to award club prizes to. It wasn’t long however before serious debate on club prizes switched to serious debate on who was going to win Strictly Come Dancing.
Suddenly in the distance Sean spotted Ian Wallis ahead and Ian Chant took it upon himself to shout some words of encouragement – “Creaki Creaki, Give us a wave…”At the final stages the group pulled together to assist Damien in achieving a PB for the course. It was agreed that the striders would cross the finish line hand in hand, but as the runners reached the final stages, Damien made a break from the pack and succeeded in taking Ian Wallis. The remaining striders finished together, demonstrating that team spirit exists in the club and that it doesn’t have to be about serious competition all the time. As promised there was soup and apple crumble and custard waiting for the team, who couldn’t stop smiling! Damien finished the course in a PB time of 2:26; the remaining striders crossed the line one minute later.
Rich Wilkinson completed the challenge in 1:46, finishing 4th. Patrick Fitzgerald finished in 1:58, closely followed by Clive Allison in 1:59. Colin Bostock took 2:17, whilst Kev Holland finished in 2:30.
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