Distance: 6km | Ascent: 475m | Duration: 15 days | Race: 22 | Total runners: 25
The Meldons has been a regular route in the handicap series before 2020 but never held in July. This added a few new challenges. Bracken bashing on lower parts of the hills slowed progress and route finding. Only 3 runners in the Wednesday race chose not to use the road at the start which may have been the better choice.
“An electrifying route! Zapped by the electric fence twice” reported Alison. “A death trap with cows looking to kill Carnethy red vests” according to Nicola. Neil the club Treasurer had not paid the farmer the promised 20 shillings to turn the electric fence off and keep the cows off the racing lines.
Mark aka El Matador was one of the front runners up the last hill – “Cracking route, lots of veg and cows to dodge. Did it 21 mins faster in 2015. Boo.”
This was not a fast year, no one came close to beating their handicap. In theory since it’s not a new course it should be easier to estimate. The course averages in past were much quicker. The average for example in May 2011 was under 43 minutes, wow.
The sun was still shining for a well-earned post-race BBQ. Mark supplied his BBQ bucket, which has been in the Hartree family for decades.
Thanks to Declan and Ken for finish line support and photos.
Handicap – Top 3 places:
Congratulations Craig Hogg, the race and overall winner this month. Having reached the last summit of Black Meldon with only a narrow lead, Craig ran an excellent descent avoiding being caught by Bryan and Andy.
Position | Name |
#1 | Craig Hogg |
#2 | Bryan McKenna |
#3 | Andy Lamont |
Championship Leader: Lizzie Knox remains the leader counting the 3 best runs from 4. Only 12 runners have now completed all 4 handicaps.
Ladies – Fastest course times
Downhill specialist Lizzie recorded the quickest time. No rest after racing on both Saturday and Sunday.
Name | Run time |
Lizzie Knox | 47.01 |
Helen Ockenden | 49.42 |
Alex Maskell | 57.27 |
Gents – Fastest course times
Bryan recorded the best time of the day. A good choice of line at the start and solid up and down Black Meldon nearly got him the win.
Name | Run time |
Bryan McKenna | 38.31 |
Andy Lamont | 39.41 |
Craig Hogg | 42.17 |
Results:
Position | First name | Surname | Run time | Handicap time | Finish time | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Craig | Hogg | 42.17 | 26.14 | 68.31 | 50.0 |
2 | Bryan | McKenna | 38.31 | 30.11 | 68.42 | 48.0 |
3 | Andrew | Lamont | 39.41 | 29.30 | 69.11 | 46.0 |
4 | Andrew | Rogerson | 44.55 | 24.27 | 69.22 | 44.0 |
5 | Neil | Burnett | 46.22 | 23.26 | 69.48 | 42.0 |
6 | Lizzie | Knox | 47.01 | 23.04 | 70.05 | 40.0 |
7 | David | Wilson | 51.55 | 18.22 | 70.17 | 38.0 |
8 | Robert | Waterhouse | 63.20 | 7.34 | 70.54 | 36.0 |
9 | Pete | Cain | 54.07 | 18.25 | 72.32 | 34.0 |
10 | Scott | Robson | 46.47 | 26.08 | 72.55 | 32.0 |
11 | Helen | Ockenden | 49.42 | 23.19 | 73.01 | 30.0 |
12 | Mark | Hartree | 63.43 | 9.24 | 73.07 | 28.0 |
13 | Mark | Lunt | 43.09 | 30.19 | 73.28 | 26.0 |
14 | Nicki | Innes | 67.46 | 6.23 | 74.09 | 24.0 |
15 | Oliver | Wain | 64.51 | 12.31 | 77.22 | 22.0 |
16 | Stephanie | Droop | 62.32 | 15.00 | 77.32 | 20.0 |
17 | Alison | Burrells | 67.18 | 10.23 | 77.41 | 18.0 |
18 | Gordon | Cameron | 57.07 | 21.15 | 78.22 | 16.0 |
19 | Jamie | Connelly | 62.34 | 16.32 | 79.06 | 14.0 |
20 | Richard | Chandler | 73.02 | 6.07 | 79.09 | 12.0 |
21 | Alex | Maskell | 57.27 | 22.20 | 79.47 | 10.0 |
22 | Elfreda | Whitty | 73.50 | 15.27 | 89.17 | 8.0 |
23 | Nicola | Duncan | 73.05 | 22.35 | 95.40 | 6.0 |
24 | Cali | Ingham | 102.53 | -3.50 | 99.03 | 4.0 |
25 | Alex | Coakley | 73.02 | 27.32 | 100.34 | 2.0 |
Those looking for more of a breakdown on data see Google sheet.
The next handicap in August will be a more runnable course starting at Bonaly. Check out the handicap webpage for details.