Running the race on a Saturday seemed to be a success judging by the numbers with an almost unanimous vote to continue with a Saturday rather than midweek race. Cliff at the Whistle Inn agreed to open specially for us, as he normally only opens at lunchtime on Sundays, so we had the place to ourselves which was just as well as we filled the bar.

Not sure if we were lucky or unlucky with the weather as Friday was very wet and Sunday very hot, so perhaps dry and very windy wasn’t too bad and produced some very good times. Up front two newcomers took full advantage of the absence of the defending champion and race winner for the past 4 years Matt Collins with both bettering his old course record. In Richard Phillips case this was by nearly 20 seconds and Phillip Mathews in 2nd was also 3 seconds inside it. Stephan Sims comfortably won the Vets category only 20 seconds off Adrian Woods record. A remarkable 7th place for SV Steve Davies was also a new record by about 40seconds. While Steve Herrington in the over 60’s took just over a minute off the old best time.

No record for the women I’m afraid, but Helen Fines amazing time of 40.40 in 2007 will take some beating. However Katie Beecher was a comfortable winner in 44.11, 1min 30sec ahead of Emma McWilliams in second place. Sharon Leech was the first FV and Caroline Dallimore the first FSV.

So that raps it up for another year so I guess we will go for a Saturday in late June again next year.