White Horse Relay
Date: Sunday 4th Sept 2011
Time: 07:00
Place: Solent Hotel Car Park
Conditions: Cool and overcast with rain in the air
Cast: 20 Stubbies all thinking 'I could still be in bed'
After some muttering, then getting the right runners in the right car along with their kit, we set off in five cars to Cherhill near Marlborough for the start of the White Horse Relay. We had entered two teams for our first crack at this event as a club; as they were fairly evenly matched they were given the names Pirates & Bandits instead of the usual A & B.
The relay is 77 miles over, up and down the Marborough downs centred around the eight visible white horses of Wiltshire. It consists of 10 legs, and a short 11th glory leg which must be run by a runner who has already completed a leg. Unfortunately we could only entice 18 Stubbies to run the event so myself and Nick Kimber ran an extra leg each; Jaz Smith and Chris Haskell kindly volunteered to drive on the day so that made up the 20.
The relay started at 09:00 once the race director found someone with a watch, then the dash around the countryside to all the leg pick up and drop off points began. As some of these were in different places it made for some nifty driving. Each leg started at a specific time, so in most instances a leg's runners had not finished when the next leg set off; this in effect made it 11 seperate races and ensured that the whole event finished at about 5:30.
Leg 1. The Bandits scored first with John Blake coming in ahead of Ian Webber.........who got lost.
Leg 2. Saw the two captains going head to head with Paul Hammond winning the leg for the Pirates, helped by the runner from the Chepstow Chargers going left instead of right at one junction, and Nick coming in third.
Leg 3. The first two ladies went off, Jane Butler scored for the Bandits, Tracie despite some heavy hints from the sweeper got lost and did an extra mile or so.
Leg 4. Marcus Lee and Jon Leigh came in close together, first and second they thought as another runner from Chepstow had made a mistake with his navigation, only to find that he had managed to get back on course and win the leg. Another score for the Bandits.
Leg 5. Phil May and Neil Jarvis set off from Pewsey with Neil only just back from holiday and having no time to recce the leg. After a steep climb up to the Pewsey white horse Phil managed to hold off Neil for a score to the Pirates.
Leg 6. Nick Crane and Donna Mitchell were on one of the long 9 mile legs, Nick scored for the Pirates but we have to give Donna credit as it was her third race in four days with a p.b. at Overton the previous day.
Leg 7. Another 9 miler with Eric Beck and Alan White going head to head. Eric held sway for the Bandits with Alan not too far behind down the nice downhill finish.
Leg 8. Mike Harper and Caroline Street started from Bratton recreation ground, having to do a lap of the pitch first to thin out the 7 runners before they went out through a narrow gate! Mike scored for the Bandits winning the leg.
Leg 9. Two more ladies went head to head with Ann Blake coming in ahead of Sue Robinson despite taking a tumble. Another score for the Pirates.
Leg 10. Paul & Nick were wheeled out again for the final long leg. After about a mile and a half Nick took the inside line round an air ambulance that had landed on the track while Paul went the long way round, Paul was unable to make up that ground so another score to the Bandits.
Leg 11. The glory leg was run by Marcus and Jon, a swift 2 mile sprint to the finish. Again Marcus managed to hold off a determined Jon. More points to the Bandits.
Points were awarded in relation to the finish position, so 1st place scored 1 point, second 2 and so on.
The winning team were Chepstow Chargers with 19 points, second were Devizes with 40, third were the Bandits with 47 and the Pirates were fourth on 54 points. Eight teams took part.
The post race wash up was held in a pub called.........The White Horse. Mike was drinking cider that looked like you could run your car on.
Thanks to all the Stubbies who took part for making it a really enjoyable day, and an extra big thank you to Jaz and Chris for driving, also well done to Jaz's daughter Hannah for putting up with us all for the day.
Paul Hammond
Photos: Paul Hammond