Ace

Drama at the Big Freeze

March 07, 2005

Yes, this was a cold day, even by Barry 40 standards, maybe even the coldest in the history of the event. Fortunately, it stayed dry, but it was bitter. That said, my immediate reaction is to thank everyone who freely gave their time - without you there would be no race, and I know I speak for every competitor when I say many, many, thanks!

It was also the closest race in the event's history. The great thing about ultras, which we've seen time and time again, is that "it's never over till it's over". The cold has often been termed "the unseen enemy". To witness an athlete like Sharon Gayter, second in the 2003 1000 Mile Challenge, being sidelined after 18 miles with cold-induced asthma makes you realise just how tough it was. And when you start to slow, and cannot run fast enough to maintain sufficient body feet, you're in big trouble.

Spare a thought for Stuart Buchan. Over nine minutes clear at 30 miles, having led the race from Lap 2 and then get caught on Lap 156 of 161 was agonising.
However, credit to Stephen Pope for a fantastically judged race. Winner: 4:27:38, second 4:29:10.

Lizzy Hawker, PhD student at Southampton University in polar oceanography, used all her experience of visiting the Antarctic to good effect. A superb winner in 5:12:46, this young lady is certainly one to watch and looked really good throughout.

But pride of place goes to 71 year old Geoff Oliver. He missed the World Over 70 30 mile record by 1:45, and the 50 Km record by just 42 seconds. Deflated? Not a bit of it. Geoff ran a storming last 10 miles to clock 5:38:19, eclipsing Max Jones' eight year old record of 5:49:50, set in Portland, Oregon by over 11 minutes. Well run, Geoff! You were an inspiration to all present!

And what of the Croups? Andy Cleves went out much harder than usual, and was second at halfway in 2:14:32. But the second half saw Andy have to fight all the way, and despite slipping to 5th, he secured his third Welsh title in four years, clocking 4:48:22. Alan Mann had another solid run, finishing 11th (4th Welsh) in 5:30:10, whilst Gil John placed 18th (6th Welsh) in 6:14:32.

24 starters; 19 finishers (79% success rate). In those conditions, if you got through you were a winner. And a super-tough winner at that!

Posted by Mick at March 7, 2005 05:21 PM

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