INTERCOUNTIES FELL
RACE-BLISCO DASH
LANGDALE- JULY 3RD.
2004
RACE REPORT
If success is measured by results alone this race was a
failure for Warwickshire. If success is measured by the enjoyment of the
athletes involved and the promotion of the Counties name in an event where
we were not expected to be victorious I think it was a resounding
success.
In true Lakeland fashion the Langdales were subject to the
usual torrential downpours which everyone up there tends to ignore.
The race was a "simple" 5 mile run out and back, there was a
matter of 2000 ft. of ascent however, also we were informed by the cognoscenti
that it was no easy matter to descend from the summit without taking a bit of a
detour. In this situation A-Z's lose a lot of their usefulness.
Undaunted our gallant teams set off, at least we could
actually see the top.
Taking the men's team first I have to admit that most of the
work achieving a team was due to the splendid work from Rob Barry from
Northbrook AC. without whom there wouldn't have been any representation from the
County. However he was far to self deprecating of his own ability as
he was second Warks man home after demoting himself from the
team!
The Men's team finished 11th led by a splendid run by
Nathan Holmes, followed by Ian Burgoyne, and the legend that is Graham
Patton. Other runners from Warks. were Mick Hudspith 79th. Ian
Coldicott 99th. Adrian Jones 113th. Stuart Keen 132nd.
The women's team was led home by an excellent run from Celia Mills in 13th.
followed by Selina Coldicott in 19th. another excellent run. Then it went
pear-shaped with Catherina Gavin and Julie Neville going walkabout at 2000ft.
and finally reappearing in a time that would have been reasonable for a
marathon. Even the best fell runners get lost at times and luckily no harm was
done.
I hope those of you who read this think the effort was worth it, the
athletes who took part certainly did.
Eddie Cockayne.
Team Manager.