Halesowen MT

Wednesday 13th August 2008

Mudwrestling through the woods!

Above: Ian ahead of Mark Pittaway and Billy Nock.

Only three B&R athletes travelled to Halesowen for the fourth and final race in the Worcester mid-week series.
As it had rained heavily and was a four lap off-road course with plenty of twists and turns it promised to be an 'interesting race'.
The winners of the SM and V40 men were already decided with Tom Kenderdine and Billy Nock already unbeatable in the series.
The V45 men was still wide open though with Mark Pittaway, Simon Link and myself all in the running and as Mark exclaimed to me before the start that it was 'winner takes all'!
The race started with Tom and Billy setting a fast pace and a bit further down the field Mark sitting on my shoulder as we battled to win the series with Simon a few places behind.
I soon noticed that Mark had employed 'Beijing tactics' where he seemed to have bussed supporters who were on every corner cheering him on.
Pete Hawcroft, along with his trusty camera was my lone supporter on every lap.
On the third lap Mark put in a kick that I was unable to match and finished in 4th place, making him worthy champion for 2008 whilst I was also caught at the finish by Halesowen's Andy Butler to finish 6th.
The race was again won by Tom with Bill, who was obviously injured limping over the finish line in 29th - no dropping out of races for him!

Above: Phil powers up the bank by the cycle track.

Phil Richardson put in a solid performance to finish 24th and third MV50 on the day.

Above: Melanie running well in her first off-road race.

Melanie, running her first off-road race (in totally unsuitable shoes) ran well, outsprinting Halesowen's Ray Bunn to finish 71st and was extremely pleased with herself for not falling over and exclaimed that she had just taken part in her first 'Schlammschlacht' which I am told translates to mud-wrestling. She assured me she enjoyed it though and is looking forward to the cross country.
 

Above: Ian Keyte and Mark Pittaway (Royal Borough of Portland Club) battle it out for the MV45 title.

As ever there was a great atmosphere at the prize giving in Halesowen's excellent clubhouse, just a shame there weren't more B&R athletes there to enjoy it.
 
100 finished the race out of the 108 who started

(Ian Keyte)