Sandstone Trail Race 2007 Results

For the 31st running of this race across some of the most beautiful countryside in Cheshire we were not to be let down by the weather. After a week of hardly any rain the course was in perfect condition for fast and enjoyable running and many new records were recorded taking into account the changed length of the course over the last three years. There was a slight drop in temperature just after the start. From what you have told me you all enjoyed it. For us at Deeside if that is what we achieved then that is all that is asked. We still have the mountain rescue out looking for 2 runners, 1 male and 1 female, who entered the maize field after Beeston Castle and have not been seen since (not really). I hope that they are enjoying themselves, but beware tigers and elephants have been seen prowling there. Time to come out now!!!!!!

This year, using electronic timing and on-line entry for the first time for the event enabled a very efficient entry system and easier split time recording. Many new runners to both events were attracted this year and that bodes well for the future of the races. By utilising the on-line entry system it appears to have encouraged runners to enter early. The downside to this resulted in both races filling up early nearly two weeks before published closing date. This will need to be addressed for next year's race.

Before a commentary for runners on the results I know that you would wish me to thank on your behalf all of the supporters, helpers and marshals on the course for supporting and or helping with the race. Without their unstinting support the race could not run. I therefore want to pick out particularly the following:-

• Ian Heywood (Northwich Police) for the loan of "POLICE SLOW" signs. Absolutely essential for your safety on the A534 and A51 roads - Thank you Ian
• Robin Latham (Organsdale Farm) whose land he kindly gives us permission to cross. It is because of Robin's kindness that you get to run up "The Yeld" hill just before entering back into Delamere Forest. Aren't you pleased?
• Peter Bull (Castleside Farm) for again allowing us to start the "B" race efficiently
• John Street (Cheshire County Council) who, as the Sandstone Trail Warden is very proud of "his" trail. Thank you John for your interest.
• Mark Hodgson (English Heritage, Beeston Castle) who again allow us to inter-mingle with his public activities but continually supports our activities. Many thanks Mark.
• Dave Morris (National Trust Bickerton) for allowing us use of the starting area - get well soon Dave.
• Sarah Wilson (Forestry Commission) for their permissions.
• Nick Lowe (St. John Ambulance) whose team were required for duty this year. Thanks team.
• All the Deeside helpers and marshals, especially Bob & Barbara Verity for their efficient organisation at Beeston - thanks Bob/Barbara for saying "Yes" before you knew what you were saying "Yes" to. The whole team at Duckington, Caroline & Martin Gregson, Simon Crocker, Callum & Clare, Sarah Gooda & children and Chris Proudfoot etc. together with the car parking team who never have an easy job at Duckington. Last but not least Steve and Kate Ingleby and whole family for their usual efficient finish organisation, Barry & Jill Barnes for entry details and all other organisational detail and Gwyn Thomas for managing the conveying of materials and clothing and all other logistics, the car directors at Delamere and "bus conductor". Thank you all on the runners' behalf. Thank you all competitors for your helpful comments. I value them.

The "A" race was won again by Glen Groves (Liverpool Harriers & AC) who took the winners shield again in an excellent time of 1:55:19. This was a new course record. Glen was a full 5 minutes ahead of the 2nd man home. Next year we are presenting him with a route map as he continually gets lost and overtakes the same people twice - but he still wins. Well Done Glen. He was followed by local man, Simon Ellis (2nd) (Tattenhall Runners) in a time of 2:00:22 with Andrew Claque (3rd - again) (West Cheshire AC) with a time of 2:00:37 - perhaps next year Andrew. Graham Earlam (West Cheshire AC) again won the Male Vet 40+ prize for the second year in succession with a time of 2:00:56 and Tony Archer (Vale Royal AC) claimed the Male Vet 50+ prize with an excellent run in 2:18:00. Neville Griffiths (Spectrum Striders RC) claimed the Male Vet 60+ prize, setting a new Vet 60+ record with a time of 2:29:33 and an overall position of 41st.

Ruth Isaacs (Pensby Road Runners) repeated her excellent run of last year by again winning the overall ladies prize with a time of 2:18:15 and a very commendable overall position of 28th. Congratulations Ruth. Tricia Jones (Pensby Road runners) was 11 minutes behind Ruth with a time of 2:29:06

Congratulations to local club Tattenhall Runners for taking the "A" team prize with a very tight grouping represented by Simon Ellis (2nd) in 2:00:22, Peter Taylor (6th) in 2:03:15 and Ian Lancaster (10th) in 2:05:50 giving a combined time of 6:09:27. My special thanks go to Tattenhall Runners for supplying club members to help along the course. Stephen Lang (MDOC) claimed the special prize for being the first orienteer to 'navigate' his way along the course with an overall position of 9th in a time of 2:05:11 and again setting a course best time.

The "B" race was this year won by Ian Macgill (Liverpool RC) in a time of 1:08:45 to register a revised record for this course - congratulations Ian. Chris Gibbs (Wirral AC) set a new Male Vet 40+ course record with a time of 1:13:51. Mike Smithard (Deeside Orienteering Club) won the Vet M50+ prize for the 2nd time in succession in an excellent time of 1:18:46, setting a new MV50+ record and an overall position of 9th.

In the ladies field Gill Mead was the outright ladies winner with another excellent time of 1:21:27 and registered the course record for the ladies Vet 40+ prize, and an overall position of 17th. Jeanette Fox (Wirral AC) is credited with the winners' prize for the Vet L40+ class as under the rules a runner can only claim one prize. Jeanette recorded a time of 1:27:10 and a position of 28th .

In the Ladies Vet 50+ group, for the first time this was won by a "MAN". This obviously caused a slight delay to the publication of the results, but thanks to the person who volunteered the explanation! The "man" is now recovering in hospital after the operation and the award given correctly to Alison Meakin (David Lloyd Leisure), now becoming a regular in this event, in an excellent time of 1:40:57 and an overall position of 67th. Sorry Alison for the little confusion. Stuart Baird (Chard RRC) with a time of 1:26:53 set a new Male Vet 60+ course record. Well done Stuart.

The local organising club Deeside Orienteering club took the "B" team prize also with a tight grouping represented by Tom Beasant (5th) in 1:15:40, Chris Smithard (7th) in 1:16:09 and Mike Smithard (10th) in 1:18:46 giving a combined time of 3:30:35

I would like to offer my congratulations to all of the prize winners and runners. I hope that you all enjoyed running it as much as I enjoyed organising it. I would couple that to the helpers and marshals. Any helpful and constructive comments would be appreciated. The only one that I have had so far is to stretch a piece of tape along the route for 17.1 miles from Duckington to Delamere which may enable Glen Groves to win the race again next year and not get lost for the first time (any bets!!).

The provisional date next year is the12th October 2008. See you all then and have a safe and injury free 12 months.

Chris Hallows – Race Organiser