Sugar Loaf Fell Race - 1st November, 2008, by Dick

03/11/2008 by Lou.

Well I was very proud of all the Chepstow members who turned out on a cold windy afternoon to face the rigours of a mountain that some of them hadn’t tackled before.
Some good performances at the front (I hear) with an especially good run from Steve (go-fast haircut) Caldwell, and by second lady, Liz Francis. SatNav showed he can navigate by getting to the race on his own (more than Kevin could manage) and then getting round without going astray for 2nd Chepstow.

And yah boo to those cynics who reckoned Pop Lawson couldn’t get up a hill without a buggy in front of him. I heard that Ivan loped round as cool as the snow on the summit, and Sian told me that she laughed all the way.

I missed ExEx in his cardy - he must have been way ahead of me. Sue and Gerry sailed past me on the way down to the hairpin (congrats to Sue for the prize).  Good run from Syd despite his doubts on the recce that he wouldn’t be able to run any of the ups. And well done Geoff and Jane who were too busy with weddings to attend the recce, but still braved the unknown.
I was particularly impressed by Esther who was so determined to get 2nd lady Harrier that she literally flew by me like one of the celebrated three witches only to crash to the ground upon remembering that she’d left her broomstick behind at the start.
Also impressed by the keenness of Jan, Colin, Jenni, Dave, Berna and others who enjoyed the climb to the summit so much the first time that they attempted to repeat it only to be redirected back down by some spoilsport. And a promising first fell race for young James who soared past me on the steepest bit of the lane start. And I didn’t see much of Savage Bill who eased himself round in his calm lmilitary manner. Likewise Nick B who no longer has to follow me round and pip me at the finish.
My only complaint - Lou and Gill didn’t have the common decency to resist overtaking an old man in the run in to the finish!
Yes, one other minor cavil - Andy’s Stott and Blackmore allowed that old warrior of the fells, Andy Creber, to employ one of his cunning overtaking ploys to get past them. I expect Grubby or Aunty Mary will make something of that, don’t you readers?
And may I pass on the thanks of the Organiser to Gareth Jenkins for having the courtesy to get round before the pub shut.
Apologies to anyone I’ve missed. Pleased to hear Chepstow voices afterwards planning to have a go at the Blorenge on 29 November. Another value 2 quids worth. And another mountain for Syd to gallop up!

Link to results http://www.chepstowharriers.org.uk/pdf/081101_Sloafresults.pdf

Link to Gareth’s photos.  Thanks for taking them Gareth. 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chepstow_friend/

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »