A 5-Stage 4-Day Telford Harriers event taking place 11th-14th July 2005.

Stages:

• Stage 1:    Wonderland 5k

• Stage 2:    Telford Harriers' Handicap 3.1k

• Stage 3:    Stirchley Miles

• Stage 4:    Wrekin Whiz

• Stage 5:    Last Day 3k

see the pictures

Although it was in the middle of a heat wave, the 2005 Tour kicked off under a cloud, as it wasn't clear whether we had an event to go to at all! Everything was in doubt right up until 6.30pm on Monday night, when Alan discovered a group of expectant 'Tourists' (at least that's what they said they were) lurking round by the 'Wonderland' gates. Previously, he had been led to believe only two people had entered, which would have been nice & cosy..!

Though we were a bit unprepared, things went remarkably smoothly on the first night. The weather was hot & sunny and the 'Crew' of Gareth, Brenda, Debs & Mick made sure there was plenty of water on hand for the thirsty finishers.

The course is a straight out & back 5k run down a tarmaced former railway line , and there is a gentle gradient which seems uphill all the way back ! And of course, the last 100 metres to the finish is a steep climb. Don't let anyone tell you we make it easy.

The heat meant that times were slower than in previous years but there were some great battles all the way down the field, notably Graham Machin who ran most of the event on his own, having arrived a few minutes late.

results:

This event is the most keenly-anticipated by the audience, a series of mile race graded on ability level (ok, as close as we can get it), staged on the grass track at Stirchley Recreation Centre. We were joined by other club members, who having done the Handicap, gamely offered to make up the numbers. Colin May managed to bring along a big bell - for the last lap, of course - which added to a magic atmosphere. Some highlights:

Race 1 - Jo 'I'm reading Kelly Holmes Autobiography' kicking away on the final lap; Alison Larwood & Sarah Slattery scrapping it out toe-to-toe over the last 25m with Sarah just shading an exciting dip-finish; Karen Bailey gamely keeping up with the main pack for most of the way- next time, Karen !!

Race 2 - Teenage sensation Chris Lewis putting in a fantastic finish to come in second in his race; Duncan Gordon & Jez Parker going for it big-time - until the wheels came off on lap 3 (sorry lads); Jean managing to complete a whole race this time !!

Race 3 - Guest Paul Ward's absolute dominance from the gun. True Class. John Sanders & Pete Taylor in a fascinating tactical battle; Steve Watkins' electrifying last 300m was as quick as anything on the day; the blanket finish in which Michelle, absolutely out on her feet, still managed to hold off the lads !!

And so to the Tour's own Alpe D'Huez, a category 'A' fell race, at the height of Summer, on tired racing legs. The flies were licking their lips in anticipation. Although it is only 3.1 miles long this race includes 750ft of climbing - and falling - and parts of the course are regularly incorporated in British and English Fell Race Championships. The scene has been set.

There was a slight breakaway movement, led by Alan Hodgkiss, who we learned later did the Wrekin at lunchtime and then travelled up to the Stiperstones Fell Race in the evening. That would explain the funny walk, then..! We picked up a few on-the night entries though. The going, as expected, was tough. John Sanders was, as expected, first back but he was chased hard by Jeff Beech. Ant Pinson managed to get up & down the hill without incident and then within sight of the finish, turned his ankle while taking the applause of the crowd..Top marks though must go to Sara Rex's young son Anthony who made his own way up & down and very nearly caught his mum!

Let the results tell the rest of the story:

John 'He does it in cycling shoes' Sanders			0:21:44
Jeff 'I wish every race was up here' Beech			0:22:22
Paul 'Still in front of John Littley' Hill				0:22:27
Graham 'I've got to get home on me bike yet' Machin		0:22:30
Steve 'I beat her...' Watkins					0:23:12
Andrew 'quietly relieved' Davies				0:23:19
Michelle '...get you next time' Keay				0:24:08
Steve 'I'm so looking forward to a massage' Harris		0:24:28
John 'Still behind Paul Hill' Littley				0:25:13
Martin 'looking very pleased with himself, considering..' Skehan	0:25:17
Jean 'no chance of a short cut on this one, baby ' Turner		0:25:30
Jeff 'I gave up the Stiperstones for this?' Wright			0:25:44
Ant 'OUCH OUCH OUCH' Pinson				0:26:12
Cathy 'I'm a friend of Jean's. What's going on? You're all mad'	0:26:27
Daron 'just here for the tough guy's race' Windle		0:27:32
Mike 'slicked down & ready for action' Sprason			0:29:20
Alan 'Mad Dogs & Englishman' Hodgkiss (done at lunchtime)	0:30:08
Roland 'already damp before the start' Broadhead		0:30:14
Chris 'child of the hills' Lewis					0:30:42
Sara 'Just got to finish before the boy' Rex			0:30:50
Jo 'just like Kelly Holmes' Cox					0:31:22
The Late (8 minutes) Tony Long				0:31:29
Alison 'the comeback kid' Larwood				0:32:16
Jeremy 'picture of grim determination' Parker			0:32:23
Teresa 'I want to be alone' Reynolds (lunchtime)			0:32:40
Jo 'I hope no-one's looking' Jarvis (lunchtime - as well)		0:33:44
Ann 'what a finish' Shaw					0:33:58
Sue 'smiles to the end - or is it grimaces?' Williams		0:34:02
Gwenan 'phew - glad that's over' Jones			0:34:23
Little Ant 'Mum's so proud'' Rex				0:34:44
Cynthia 'leader of the Pack' Lewis				0:36:00
Karen 'biggest cheer of the night' Bailey			0:40:28

The finale: we had the mementos ready; we had a few extra folks along; we had enough helpers in place to enable the Organiser to get a run in; all Gareth had to do was remember the names! Racing at the front end was very tactical with Steve Harris, though struggling with a calf injury, fighting it out with John, Michelle, Graham and John Littley, with Andrew Davies, Martin Skehan and Alan Jenkins keeping a close eye on developments. By lap two, John had pulled away and Michelle, Graham and a fast-finishing Andrew scrapped it out for the podium places. They were later joined by Steve Watkins who completed the course on his own. Everyone got a rousing cheer at the finish, and as always happens in the Tour, friendly rivalries become friendships. Several of us retired to the Brittania afterwards for a good old natter, and we can't wait for next year !!