Colworth Challenge Weekend 21-23 June 2013

Colworth Challenge Weekend 21/22/23rd June 2013 
by Mark G

A record turnout of club members at the Colworth weekend helped make this our best ever visit to this fantastic event.
Not only were there lots of us, but we also brought along kids, dogs, and supporters and we made sure that Northampton Road Runners were well represented in all the best ways.
We collected a number of trophies throughout the weekend and those deserve special credit, however everyone did fantastically well and made it a top trip for those both camping or coming along each day.
The awful weather forecast was luckily wrong and we stayed mainly dry and some even got sunburnt.
After the campers had pitched their tents on Fri evening it was time for action.
First off were young Julien and Isabel ( Jasmines kids) who collected medals in the junior races.
In the Fri 5 we then had many stars. The next generation were represented in good style by Alan (Elaines lad), Carrick and Coral (young Baldwins).
Casey the mad sheepdog dragged Suzanne round and then commandeered her tent.
We had a number of new faces at this event for the 1st time and well done to Avtar who overcame her nerves and ran her 1st ever race as well as we knew she could.
 
Saturday involves the 8.1 mile trail race which is always muddy and slippy.
Joining the 3 race runners Steve, Jo C, Spike and Suzanne did their 2nd efforts and we were joined by Paul, Dave and Paula and all stayed on their feet thankfully.
Sat night involved BBQs, beer, Santa Pods Disco next door, bleating sheep and Wendy snoring which is ideal preparation for the Sun . half marathon.
Amazingly we still had 14 still standing (comparing aches and pains) at the Sunday start line.

Andy C, Eamon, Penny and Rosanna were all here for the 1st time this year and after completing their 3 races had a deserved look of satisfaction (or was it knackered) on their faces.
As did Elaine and Sally who have been here many times before but this year challenged themselves to do all 3 races and finished in style.
Mick Clarke has now done this event 10 times (in 12) and was rewarded with a nice tankard to honour the achievement. Ronnie also picked up his 5 year award.
Trophies were picked up by Mick (mv65), Tony (mv 40), Penny (fv ?), Rosanna 3rd lady ½ marathon.

The ladies were as always great and came 3rd team on both Friday and Sunday.
And last but not least in the overall event we finished 2nd Team beaten only by East London Runners.

So another Colworth weekend is over. Another great success and a great time enjoyed by all.

Make sure you keep this weekend free for next year where we can do it all again with maybe even more of us?
The full results are on Colworth Striders website, below I have listed all who took part.(hopefully)

Marathon Challenge (all 3 races, 5+8.1+13.1=Marathon)

Sally Garrett - 1st time all 3
Jim Anderson - camped for 1st time back on form
Mick Clarke - 1st mv65 Sun 10 year award
Elaine Palmer - 1st time all 3
Jo Smith - 6th year
Andy Cottrell - 1st timer
Eamon Kennedy - 1st timer, under 4 hours
Wendy Parker -  After 26 miles beat Eamon by 4 secs
Penny Andrews - Fv 45 champ
Ronnie Ambrose - 5 yr award
Mark Garrett
Rosanna Andrews - 3rd lady Half Marathon
Andy Blaize - 2nd team
Tony Letts -  MV prizes in all races.

Sat 8.1 mile Trail Race

The above plus
Paul Braddock - the muddier the better, good colworth debut
Paula Pinney - good 1st run here, stayed upright.
Spike Breydin - always in good shape
Steve Prior - warming up for next week
Suzanne Baldwin - ready for marathon debut next week
Jo Cummings - thriving in mud as usual? 1st go at trail
Dave Solly - good tent skills and good run Fri 5 mile warm-up

14 marathoners plus in no particular order

Charlotte Yarker - 1st visit
Avtar Kour -1st ever race, about time too, great
Mary Davies -  1st timer at Colworth
Jo Cummings
Steve Prior
Spike Breydin
Jasmine Banks - warming up for Sun fell race
Dave and Carole Whatton -  the comeback kids, must keep fit
Suzanne Baldwin + Casey the mobile shagpile carpet, bring on that marathon
Carrick and Coral Baldwin -  good quality genes mean good runs
Alan Palmer - fine effort, needs to listen to mum more

I think that’s everything covered and everyone mentioned.

The only thing missing is the winner of the Northampton Road Runners Bake Off.
It was decided it was too close to call this year, however Eamon must learn not to offer his attempt to Wellinboro’ before us.