Hilly Hundred Relay Race - 19 May
Bourton Roadrunners enjoyed podium finishes for both the Mens’ and Ladies’ teams in the annual Hilly 100 relay race, where 10 runners each race 10 miles of a circuit of the Cotswolds, starting and finishing in Stratford.
The event is a physical challenge and also a logistical one. The race is not marshalled, and each team is responsible for ensuring that their runners are ready at each change-over point, “chaperoned” around the narrow lanes of the course and then safely returned and not left shivering on a hill-top somewhere.
The Ladies’ team were in the capable hands of Lynn and Steve Hudson, who placed Claire Harrison on the start line at 5:00am, and spent the next 13 hours guiding and supporting the team around the course (with Lynn even prepared to run a leg, should disaster strike). Claire set off at a blistering pace, handing over to Susan Hunt in 2nd place behind Stratford AC.
In recent years, Stratford have gained a reputation for going off-course and this year was no exception. They gradually increased their lead during the event, until one of their runners went wrong, leaving favourites Spa Striders from Leamington to gain control of the event.
The Bourton veteran ladies battled on (Steph Holton, Niamh Shoemark, Liz Hulcup, Lucy Walmsley, Gill Carrick, and Ali Lane) switching positions ranging from 2nd to fourth before handing over to the youngest runner, Brittany Teague (BJ) on the 9th leg. BJ blazed through the field to put Bourton into 3rd place, and Jan Short heroically held off the opposition until the end. Spa Striders won comfortably and established yet another course record, with Kenilworth in 2nd.
The Men’s team comprised Mike Smith, Dennis Walmsley, Rob Church, Mike Hobbs, Ewen Smith ,Andy Chapple, Ian Shoemark, Brendan Callagher, Andy Peaston and Darren Long. Against extremely tough opposition they finished 3rd, with Leamington C&AC 2nd and Kenilworth winning with an outstanding 9:58:03.
Highlights
Bourton Roadrunners men’s and ladies teams both finish 3rd at Stratford upon Avon Hilly Hundred relay race.
The ladies’ team comprised Claire Harrison, Susan Hunt, Steph Holton, Niamh Shoemark, Liz Hulcup, Lucy Walmsley, Gill Carrick, Ali Lane, Brittany Teague and Jan Short.
The men’s team comprised Mike Smith, Dennis Walmsley, Rob Church, Mike Hobbs, Ewen Smith ,Andy Chapple, Ian Shoemark, Brendan Callagher, Andy Peaston and Darren Long.
Other reports may be found on our recent race reports page.