What a superb weekend for Bure Valley Harriers and right from the kick off at 10.30am on Saturday morning to 9.30am on Sunday everyone ran their socks off. To win three categories ( 3rd Club Class, 1st Small Club, 1st Debutante Club) on the first attempt was an outstanding achievement. Every member and supporter put their heart and souls into the event.
Sam Coyne (stage 1) started off the relay at Kings Lynn and the first few miles were reasonably comfortable and then he hit the brick wall of a head wind on the coastal path. It was so strong he could hardly stand up but he showed his usual grit and finished 6th overall and only 5 minutes slower than his predicted time.
Sam handed over to Mark Haynes (stage 2) who was a bit nervous having had a bad time on this stage a few years ago but he has been working really hard and was determined to run well and this showed in his stage position of 7th and 6 minutes quicker than predicted.
Mark handed over to Emma Fox (stage 3) who actually loves this tough stage and it was made even tougher with deep puddles and soft sand to run through. She finished with a smile on her face, which if you know Emma, is unusual.
Emma handed over to Dave Walker (stage 4) who set off at a cracking pace but then got lost. After 20 minutes over his estimated time we were all getting worried but then he appeared on the horizon but from which direction we are not sure but did finish in a very confused state. He then spent the night at A & E but things appear to have settled down.
Dave then handed over to Scott Walford (stage 5) who was put on this leg because of his strength and he didn’t disappoint. He had to run through knee high water and much more but still managed 2nd overall and quicker than predicted.
Next up was Vhari King (stage 6) who is a tough cookie but also a wee bit mad and her enthusiasm certainly rubs off onto everyone else. She was 23rd overall and finished 2 mins up on her time.
Matt Stone (stage 7) was waiting for Vhari and you would have thought he was waiting for a major operation with his nerves on a high but he had a good run to finish 13th overall and not far off his time.
Sarah Stubbs (stage 8) took over from Matt and in her usual calm collected way kept the team on track running quicker than predicted.
Matt Crane (stage 9) was next on the starting line and a big thank you has to go to his wife, Danielle, for letting him out in the middle of the night as they were going off on holiday to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversay the following day.
Matt handed over to our own Keith Richards or should that be Colin Robilliard (stage 10) who was absolutely amazing and as usual ‘tough as old boots’. His 18 mile stage was run in 7.11 pace which is pretty sharp for a 63 year old and an age graded score of 80.4%.
Lawrence Wade (stage 11) took the baton at Earsham and kept the team in with a chance of a trophy by finishing in 4th overall, just under his estimated time.
Aaron Scott, (stage 12) our newest recruit, was waiting in a dark field at Scole along with a more nervous cyclist Carl Goose. Katherine and Krysia following in the car had an entertaining night throwing toilet rolls out to Aaron, who had three pit stops, to Carl getting cramp and falling off his bike. Aaron was flying and it was the first time the girls got out of first gear all night. Aaron won the stage and was awarded the John Barrow trophy in an age graded 83.9% .
Henry Gurney (stage 13) who was drafted in at the last minute was waiting in Thetford and informed us just before he ran that he had an achilles problem. This was a worry but after his fast baton change with Aaron he set off down the road and finished 11th on his stage and just under his estimated time.
Amy Balaam (stage 14) had a bit of a story to tell as Denver, who had biked earlier in the evening, went home took Thomas out of bed and drove to Amy’s. Dad Chris then drove them all to Feltwell. Denver got on his bike to ride with Amy while Chris looked after Thomas. That’s what I call commitment. Thomas had a great time running round in his spiderman pyjamas and making everyone laugh. The unsociable hour didn’t affect Amy as she had a great run finishing in her predicted time.
Frazer Heasman (stage 15) had a fantastic changeover with Amy!! I think you need to work on that Frazer. At one time he looked to be facing the wrong way. Once he got going it was fine and he finished 4th overall on his stage and ran under his predicted time.
Frazer handed over to Autumn Hales (stage 16) who had been driving around Norfolk most of the weekend supporting and popping home and then coming out again to run her leg and having a lot of fun into the bargain. She had a great sprint finish and a big sigh of relief at the end.
Autumn handed the baton over, for the last time, to Steve Cannell (stage 17) who appeared a bit nervous as he knew what might be awaiting him on his leg and he wasn’t proved wrong. Sam, who was cycling, and Steve were met by three bulls blocking the path. They managed, eventually, to moove them on and arrived back in Kings Lynn unscathed. It was a relief to see Steve coming down the home straight.
Roll on next year !!