Belstone loop including Devon champs
Late excuses…please sir….but
Well you may ask why has it taken so long. My first excuse is 6 weeks of fabulous weather. When you spend lots of the day travelling or on a computer- sometimes it just hard to sit and type .
But i was really invigorated by my first race for a long time at the Oke Croak this weekend. Felt it a shame that we have not shared the feel of the races as we are building the series- I apologise for lateness but aim to catch up in next 2 weeks. That’s of course as long as the dog does not eat my homework…
Challenging new course
We were gifted a fine days weather for the first race on march 30th. With the village hall as base we had planned for the worse. Some very kind volunteer marshals and tail runners there to watch and offer support. This was a seniors only race and also the qualifier for the Devon team to compete in the intercounties.
Route
Familiar start by Belstone stocks a reminder for those that dare to to be short of kit or your own pins. So down across the river but taking lower path than the Cosdon fell race heading towards standing stone and east side of Cosdon and then following the ridge track. then down to little hound and cutting right into a ditch you can run along before dropping down to the ford and the nice east slope of Steeperton. Heading directly north a superb trod takes you to the valley floor on a descent with epic views , which you have to gamble to enjoy and you have to be careful with feet. A little suntrap nestled in the valley before a short zigzag takes you up to a marker pole and a straight line trod to Oke tor. The ridge back to windy gate is well run and technical in places , still one of the most stunning ridges on Dartmoor.
From there a steep and unforgiving slap of tarmac on your feet for the 400yds to the village hall. done.
So nearly 13k and 540m of ascent, a nice test.
Results
A superb win by in form Sam Deller ( Ilfracombe / 2nd claim TAC) clear of all by 2 mins. Closely followed by 2 runners ( who had a slight deviation adding more distance but less height gain) which after stewards enquiry and grace of 4th runner Stephen Hughes , also in great form – the results stood. ( Exeter harriers)
A big mention for Luke Stannus ORC- feeling a bit under the weather and still came 5th in 1:03:57
First lady home was Katie Littejohn-Riches for ORC in a very creditable 1:15:57.
Full results here
https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=384936
57 runners completed the course with only 1 dnf; general comments very positive as although tough in parts was all very runnable. well done all.
thanks
thanks to cricket club for parking; Dartmoor national Park Authority; Belstone village hall and marshals- but mostly to the good humour of the runners. fab
Watch out for news of Devon teams in next 2 weekends
On June the 14th it will be a pleasure to be Devon team manager and see our men’s team of 5 and ladies team of three( first time ever for ladies team) compete at Horton in Ribblesdale in the Pen-y Ghent fell race. then the week after we have a great contingent of juniors under the watchful eye of Hayley Ratcliffe. Good luck
PS- the best way to experience this series is to come and join in ; or come and marshal.
see you on the hills
Richard , Tim and Colin