Ian Hodgson Relays

Westerlands Men put in a reasonable performance at the Ian Hodgson relays yesterday, finishing 19th of about 55 teams.

The day started off gloriously sunny and bright, but deteriorated later to heavy showers.

Alcohol poisoning of certain team members required a last minute switch on leg 1. So before I was ready, the race had started and I was floundering to keep up with Crispin on the relentless slog up Hart Crag. I was quickly regretting having run 3 of the 4 legs the day before. Each time I thought I might catch Crispin, he had overtaken 3 or 4 more people, and I was no closer.

Somehow we overtook the Lothian boys of Dave Godfree and Graeme Ackland briefly, as they misjudged a detour of Cofa Pike between Fairfield and St Sunday Crag, ending up in boulders. But they were soon back in front.

A superb runnable descent of St Sunday Crag saw us battling it out with Saltwell. We were split on the road, where I was unable to match Crispin's pace. Crispin had to hold back, and the Saltwell guys pipped us at the Patterdale changeover.

Charlie and JD were on next. A shorter faster leg to Hartsop via Angle Tarn. CC and JD put in a fine performance and just managed to hold off the threat from Carnethy's

V70 World Champion Bill Gauld.

Leg 3 saw Stevie and Manny's alcohol-fueled traverse of High Street to Kirkstone. An incredible performance judging by the state of them when they arrived 5 minutes before the start.

Don Reid and Brian Bonnyman took the anchor leg from Kirkstone, up the steep slog of Red Screes along to Dove Crag and back to Sykeside camping, making up a few places, and ensuring we finished within an hour of the winners - Borrowdale - who were completely unchallenged.

Times:

Leg 1 - 1:19 Crispin Flower/Chris Upson (7.5m/2800ft)

Leg 2 - 0:44 Charlie Campbell/John Donnelly (4.5m/1000ft)

Leg 3 - 1:16 Manny Gorman/Stevie McLoone (7.5m/2600ft)

Leg 4 - 1:03 Don Reid/Brian Bonnyman (4.5m/2000ft)

Total - 4:22

Posted by Chris Upson on Mon 6 Oct 2003 | comments are closed

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