The 2007 Tour of Telford was kindly sponsored by Specsavers, and once again, capably organised by Mick Owen.
The race routes were exactly the same as for the 2006 version, we could hardly say the weather matched last year’s highlights, though it did stay dry – which in itself is a record for this Summer J.
For those readers not familiar with the ‘Tour’ format, it’s 5 short races, in 4 days over different courses, all carried out in a friendly competitive fashion. The event is only open to Harriers and their friends. The event’s vision remains as always (1) no marshals (2) easy to remember courses (3) all at your own risk (4) it can be done by proxy (5) you keep your own time (6) and we trust you!
winners Lisa Yeomans and Jamie Anderson pictured with Martin & Mick
Day 1 – Wonderland 5k, Telford Town Park
The rain dried up, the wind got up – and it was still warm! The race starts by the ‘Wonderland’ entrance in the Park, then down the slope, bear right on to the Silkin Way and all the way down to Aqueduct & back. It is a slight climb on the way back which makes it a bit of an ordeal, and this year we were treated to the gloopy, sticky puddles left by the downpours of previous weeks. Some of the runners were also a little heavy-legged after the previous day’s Half Marathon at Shifnal, and this gave the others the chance to steal a march on them. 27 runners lined up at the start, with Jamie Anderson quickly establishing a commanding lead that he wasn’t going to give up all week. Standards were high, with only a couple of minutes separating most of the other competitors, and in the Ladies’ race there was little to choose between Lisa Yeomans and Sara Rex as they battled hard all the way round the course.
Day 2 – Club Handicap 3k
Once again the Tour race was run alongside the monthly Handicap run, giving us the chance to increase the field to 47. The 2-lap, 3090m handicap race is the toughest little race series around, there is no place to hide out there. Scores are made and settled - there were the inevitable cries of ‘cheat’ as handicap times were announced!. As the handicap times are added into the overall finish times, this was the opportunity for some of last night’s runners to take advantage of their generous handicap allowances and bring home the bacon; step forward, Sue Williams, Alan Jenkins and Jon Mahoney!! They didn’t have it all their own way though as the charge down the hill was joined by an in-form ‘Y Eye Man’ Martin Skehan who was clearly out to prove a point, mainly that Sponsors can run, too.. Once again, there was nothing to choose between the runners, who all finished within a 2-minute slot, giving Gareth and co. a lot of hard work on the finish line. Once again, Sara & Lisa were too close to call. There were a lot of weary legs as runners made their way over to the Track, one competitor more weary than most, as Rob Day was really struggling with a virus.
Day 3 – Stirchley Mile
There was a slight concern that the Track at Stirchley Rec wasn’t going to be up to scratch this time; or more properly that it would be a bit of a mud bath. However, an early pitch inspection was passed and the grass declared ready to go. As in previous years, there were 3 ‘graded’ races which made for great competition; we also were treated to the new Club ‘bell’ (ok, so it was actually, a triangle). Pete Hough was given the triangle for the night…. and he proved beyond a shadow of a doubt, he has no musical ability whatsoever.
Race 3a – And to Mike Sprason’s best chance of winning a race for years. The Sprase rolled back the years as he and new boy Bob Eatough battled it out very closely over the four laps & 9 metres (this is “approximately” a mile – depends how accurate the Council track marker is) however Bob wasn’t to be denied, and he out-kicked Mike in the last 80m to come home first. Louise Steel just about had enough to hold off Sue Williams at the other end of the field but there was little between all 7 runners.
Race 3b – Jon Mahoney wasn’t going to make the same mistake as he did last year – he went off from the gun and slowly drew away from Rob Cherry Alan Robinson & Alan Jenkins who all thought he was going to fade on the last lap. Clearly he had the last laugh – Alan J managed to out-kick the others for 2nd but the gap to first place was much too large. Top ladies Sara & Lisa Y were joined by Lisa Watkins for this race and Lisa W certainly gave the others something to think about with a 10-second lead.
Race 3c – Rob Day bravely tied up his spikes - and lined up for the ‘elite’ race, and for a lap was able to mix it with Jamie until it all became too much for him and the illness took over, but then a succession of runners went past, all in the vain hope of catching Jamie. Even Andy Seal, who was guesting in this race had no answer to the relentless pace of the main man. Rob did manage enough to finish in front of Andrew Davies, struggling with injury himself, and Jim Rounsley, another Tour debutant.
Race 4 – Up the Wrekin (& back)
The weather was still holding on, as the runners assembled at the foot of the big hill. The main aim is to climb the 1300ft monster, up & back along the ‘tourist path’. The recent rain has left the path strewn with stones and with a lot of erosion, as if the hill wasn’t hard enough. Right from the off, the runners had to negotiate a car, descending from the Halfway House! Once again Jamie used his strength to establish a lead over Marc Gadsden & Martin Skehan. The other runners found it hard going and soon, walking up the slope was the order of the day (based on the theory that once one walks, all walk). At the turn, Jon Mahoney was about to demonstrate just how BAD he was at descending (though he would tell you he was saving himself) and on the way down the drama happened….firstly Marc Gadsden slipped and fell, damaging his arm and leg on wet stones, secondly Lisa Yeomans managed to take the wrong turn somewhere near the Halfway House and ended up backtracking, allowing Sara to claw back some much-needed time and throwing the Ladies’ contest wide open once again. An excellent performance from Jazzy Wright got him some much-needed time bonuses and we all stood in awe as Dave Arnold punched the air with delight at his beating the half-hour. The chocolates were much appreciated too at the finish – they were ours, weren’t they? Oh, and the clock packed up.
Race 5 – Britannia Burn-Up 5k
You
begin to wonder - when the Organiser asks if people know the route…. and
they almost all say ‘NO’. Oh well, last day and all that. People were as
usual comparing how tired they were. Mick and the crew were busy getting
boxes of goody-bags ready, there were the usual laughs and cheers and ‘bang’
(or rather, beep) and away they went. Normal order was resumed for Jamie,
but a tremendous sprint for the line by Martin gained him that coveted
second spot. There were some improved times all the way down the field and
Jazzy Jeff, Dave Arnold and Alan J all contrived to run together (no mean
feat), finishing just in front of the main ladies race. Lisa once again saw
off a brave effort from Sara to make this year’s Ladies prize and title her
own.
We all retired to the Lounge of the Britannia Inn for the presentations, speeches, photos and a few bevvies and story-swapping! Roll on 2008. Make sure YOU’RE there.
Thanks to Mick, Ann, Jill, Michelle, Pete, Grace, Specsavers, the Brit and anyone else I have missed – it’s not intentional, honest!!
For Full Tour Results click on this link