Woodbridge 10K - 2014

Sunday 18th May 2014

The 33rd Woodbridge Round-The-Town race was held in challenging conditions and with record breaking crowds turning up to watch the 687 runners.
The Woodbridge Surfers were well represented with a formidable team assembled in the swealtering heat. Conditions meant that times would be a little slower than usual and the water stops were turning into refreshment stops as a number of runners opted to pour the water over their heads rather than drink it.
Very much a "just get round" effort with all finding the conditions hard and making the traditional Adnams post race protien rebuilding and debriefing all the more enjoyable.
Fanstatic support as usual from the Surfers families and friends offering all kinds of encouragement - the shrill cries from outside Costas now becoming a noisy and expected tradition.

Race Quotes
Dr C
"Come on Simon only 1k to go"
Dave H
"Trophy recognition for a club that is always winning in support and camaraderie. Spent the whole race wondering why I was there  and the rest of day knowing why"
Clark
"Hot, sweaty but at least I correctly predicted surfers first and last! "
Steve W
"The best 10k there is: the whole town is out and the day progresses through a heady mix of fun, nerves, camaraderie, exhaustion, survival and achievement to an afternoon of beer and trophies!"


A stirling effort that for the first time, elevates the Surfers into a silverware situation - having usurped the infamous Clopton Emu Breeders and coming away with the cups for the 1st Non Affiliated Team

 
 
Our Race Sponsor enjoying the spoils of victory
 
 
Here are the triumphant team, resplendant in their Gill Coutts Technical Tops, celebrating in the clubhouse (Cherry Tree) where the trophies will be on display.



Finish times as below
Place Age Age Group Place Gun Time First Name Last Name
66 50     6 M 50-54 42:44 Steve Whittaker
90 54    12 M 50-54 44:06 Anthony Mayston
194 50    21 M 50-54 49:04 David Hopkins
216 47    31 M 45-49 49:56 Darren Payne
304 51    34 M 50-54 53:14 Simon Hale
313 50    37 M 50-54 53:38 Ian Coutts
363 49    47 M 45-49 55:51 Alok Ruia
497 52    52 M 50-54 1:00:14 Clark Skates
613 43    35 F 40-44 1:12:56 Jane Stone

Elveden Tear Jerker

Firstly an apology to my team-mates - the picture of us hasn't come out.  I blame the photographer, not me for not checking it...

However, the Tear Jerker.  A stunning location - the swim in a sweet tasting (!) irrigation pond, to be swum in a 'M' shape around the (just visible below) marker bouys:



All bikes racked:

The finish line:

The whole event has a laid back feel - only about 200 competitors, going off in 2 waves of 100 for the swim.   I had the easy part, 1/2 mile swim in non-tidal water.  I kept my nose in a ladies armpit all way around so didn't have to sight at all.  Getting out Giant Paul took over & set off at a cracking pace for the 25 Km ride- only stopping to help a fellow competitor who was having a mechanical - and I think this sums up the ethos of the TearJerker.  Simon H took on the final 5.5Km run around the fields & pond - by this time the temperature was up the two of them had it far tougher than I did.  It looked as though the first 10 cyclists over the line were on 29"'ers, it was certainly the course for them.

Results aren't out yet, but from the preliminary posting we appear to have come in 7th of the teams, out of 20 who entered.  


1st nomination for 2014, extra kudos for depth of colours!

Suffolk Sunrise 2014

Here's my take on it.

Early.
Go.
Clark goes bang.  A puncture.  Funny.
Steve W hustles a lovely girl for her phone #.  Dave H impressed.
Wet.
Windy.
Cuppa.
Slow.
Great food.  Appear to be last.
Fast.
Cuppa.
BLOODY HELL.  ?11? punctures & buy our 3rd new tyre of the day.  Monsoon conditions.  Ian C appears to be hypothermic.  Dave H swears more than anyone I've ever heard.  4x4 rescue (who were brilliant) tell us about an amazing guy in a 'Hill Killer' shirt who was 15 minutes ahead of anyone else when they saw him.  GO PAUL.  But still, this bloody rain & these bloody punctures.
11+ hours later - Framlingham.
Darren so tired after his run from Dennington he doesn't notice he's been given a girls medal.

Kudos to Dave H, without whose puncture repair skills we'd still be out there.  Thanks all, it was a blast.  Here's my route profile, showing all of those stops...


The Love Train: