Sheeptracks Report 2020

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Clwydian Sheeptracks 2020 Race Report

In stark contrast to the previous year the race started in torrential driving rain. The weather left a few back in bed but 90 started with 75 finishing their respective courses. After an hour the sun came out and it turned into a lovely day. Starting and finishing at the Village Hall rather than the Waterworks was seen as a great benefit to both organisers and entrants.

Joel Gomes (4th Overall) Photo: Colin Martin (NEWSAR)

The Ram’s race was initially well contested with Lawrence Eccles (Penny Lane) [Champion Ram] & Neil Talbott (Ambleside) heading the pack but after CP8 Lawrence recce’ing came into its own and he disappeared off into the distance and came home in just under 3 hours (the clear winner by 12 minutes.) Matthew Fortes (Eryri) [1st Vet] and Gavin Roberts (Eryri) brought home 2nd & 3rd respectively with Joel Gomes 4th (I think they all held hands so they didn’t get lost).

Damp runners drop into Stony Gully early in the race. Photo: Mike Jones (NEWSAR)

The Ewe’s race was confused affair that saw an injury recovering Jackie Lee (Eryri) [1st Vet Champion Ewe] cross the line unaware she had won as an injury recovering Sophie Horrocks (Rossendale) had turned at CP10/14.

It was Sophie Horrocks (Rossendale) turn to count. Running – ready or not. Photo: Colin Martin

M50 winner was Andy Davies (Mercia) [8th overall] with Charlie McIntosh (Pudsey & Bramley) [12th] in second with John Hunt (Dark Peak) [15th] in third. F50 winner Rachel Sherwen (Run Free) was a delighted winner especially as her running pal finished 2nd Lady Vet – and the chocolate button prize. Big shout out to Edward Lesniak M60 (Achille Ratti) who ran the long course.

The ‘main’ O60 race was run over a shorter 20km course (from next year this will be called the short course and be open to all). Last year’s winner Stephen Jones (Eryri) took the win in the M60 category followed home by Nicholas Holmes (Tattenhall) (again!) with Alan Duncan (Bowland) 3rd. F60 winner was Menai Baugh (Denbigh) and M70 winner John Morris

The Ian Brown Memorial Trophy (Clwydian mini-series) was retained by Lawrence Eccles (Penny Lane) with Simon Edwards (Buckley) in second and Simone Capponi taking third. With his current form Lawrence looks in pole position to retain at the Mountain Race – would make him the first runner to hold for a calendar year – but as always you have to be in it to win it J

Thanks as always to all the helpers, cake bakers, marshals & of course safety cover from the fantastic NEWSAR.

Next year: more of the same – hopefully a little drier

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Clwydian Hills Report 2019

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Sunday 27th October

Race Report – 107 runners, 1 DNF

There were always going to be winners & losers scheduling a welsh race at the same time as Wales were playing a Rugby World Cup semi-final…needless to say the winners had a lovely day on the fells. Cool and sunny with a little cloud later on – we keep getting blessed by the weather gods.

Alistair Thornton – First Gent

As quite a few locals had opted to stay-in-bed, get drunk, watch rugger – it was down to those from slightly further afield to stand (run?) up to the mark. They did not disappoint. Five sleepy headed students from Loughborough University Orienteering Club (LUOC) crammed in a car, drove up, men’s overall, course record & M23 for Alistair Thornton, female F23 for Jenna Williams, Petzl Team Trophy, drove back & I expect got drunk – bossed it – nuff said.

Old course record holder, Lloyd Taggart (Manx) was back at the race for the first time in 7 years and went over the top of Moel Dwywll with Alistair Thorton & Adam Fieldhouse of LUOC, Lawrence Eccles (Penny Lane) & Peter Bray (Chorlton). Alistair Thornton stalked Lloyd up stony gully and over the final summit before out sprinting him on the run-in to set a new course record of 1:16:26 beating the previous by 9 seconds. Lloyd was only 14 seconds behind. Peter Bray came in a few minutes behind.

Lawrence Eccles came in 4th on the day but was enough to get his hands on the prized Ian Brown Memorial Trophy and takes the honour of being Series Champion into February’s Sheeptracks race.

Sophie Horrocks (Rossendale) – First Lady.

Sophie Horrocks (Rossendale Harriers) took the female overall by a good margin from second placed Alice Swift (Chorlton Runners) with Helen “I don’t feel well so I’ll run with the dog oh I’ve come third” Brown (Mynydd Ddu) came in third – so I suppose Dennis gets first dog award as well.

Tom Smith (Bowland), Jeremy Randell (Meirionnydd RC) & Daniel Jones (Denbigh) on Moel Dwywll

LUOC took home the Petzl Team Trophy 458 points from only 5 runners. Tattenhall finished 2nd with 394 points and Pensby with 349 points. Was a great show from the three Chorlton Runners who although only finished 5th averaged 97 points each and were all placed in their categories.

Will Garton (CRR) & Nigel Crompton (Pensby) having too much fun for a hard fell race.

In the junior races Josh Peevor (Eryri Harriers) and Matthew Anthony (Deeside AAC) took the M16 & M18 trophies respectively.

Matthew Anthony (Deeside) – M18 Winner

Refreshments, presentations and the obligatory post-race debrief chats were held in village hall. Special thanks to NEWSAR members and the supporters group for marshalling the race & looking after the runners with homemade soup & cakes.