Dave Evans reports:

The scene was set for a battle between specialists on a very testing course giving the endurance walker an edge on the uphills and the “sprinter” the advantage on the downhills. Tony Bell regularly fills either winner or runner up spot in club races and this was no different , however, Martin Payne also has flat speed but in recent times has concentrated on marathon plus distances. At the 1 mile checkpoint Tony had the initiative but Martin was clearly just sitting in.

Roy Gunnett was in the bronze position and most of the remaining walkers all within sight of each other. At halfway (5k)the eventual winner had stretched his lead to 13 seconds with some slope assisting terrain still to negotiate.

Rain was forecast for the race time but it never really appeared. Most aspirants achieved a faster second half.

RESULTS
Scratch

1. Tony Bell 68:43(11:11/34:36)
2. Martin Payne 69:23(11:13/34:49)
3. Roy Gunnett 75:54(11:33/37:52)
4. Phil McCullagh 76:06(12:23/38:57)
5. Joe Hardy 78:23(12:22/39:57)
6. Pat Evans 79:02(12:48/40:18)
7. Greg Smith 87:32(13:10/44:45)
8. Andrea Lennon 49:05(14:27) raced 5k

Handicap

1. Roy Gunnett 63:09
2. Phil McCullagh 63:36
3. Joe Hardy 65:23
4. Pat Evans 65:32
5. Martin Payne 66:52
6. Tony Bell 67:08
7. Greg Smith 75:47
8. Andrea Lennon

Age-graded

1. Pat Evans 79.42%
2. Joe Hardy 76.99%
3. Roy Gunnett 74.64%
4. Andrea Lennon 72.56%
5. Martin Payne 69:18%
6. Tony Bell 67.69%
7. Phil McCullagh 65.22%
8. Greg Smith 60:52%

Finally thanks to Sailash Shah who policed the race headquarters while we were away enabling the race to be run(walked)to timetable.

Gratitude as ever to Greg Smith for the photos with his apology that there is not one of Tony Bell, who was too quick for the camera.