When a race is advertised as “The toughest race in the County” and that it is held under AA and Fell Runners Association Rules, then entrants know they are in for a very hard race. Despite these warnings race entry had been closed for three weeks and six members of Kenilworth Runners, who wisely obtained their places early, travelled to the Village of Ansty in Leicestershire to take part in this daunting 13 mile cross country race, with 1,200 feet of climbing. Cheered by the magnificent sunny morning, with not a breath of wind, they joined nearly 400 other hardy runners all bent on a tough hill race in profoundly beautiful countryside with magnificent views as a reward for their efforts.
Martin High School in Ansty is the base for the event but the race always starts in a nearby rough field. At the hooter the runners head for a narrow gate, which always causes a hold up (appreciated by many) and onto a footpath that takes them to the stile that enters Bradgate Park. Crossing the Park and turning left by The Priory ruins, where Mary Queen of Scots was held c1580, runners are faced with long steady climb by the Priory Wall and into the heather under the monument known as “Old John”. Exiting from Bradgate Park the route takes the runners down Heartbreak Hill and over the golf course into the village of Woodhouse Eaves and to the second long climb up Brackenriggs Hill. Having climbed this steep and long ascent there follows a sharp downhill to enter Beacon Hill Country Park and the gruelling climb to the rocks at the top.
The return in general follows the outward route with two exceptions, Brackenriggs Hill is bypassed and Heartbreak Hill has to be climbed, at which point tired legs realise why it got it‘s name. The route to the finish follows the outward journey to finish in the School Fields.
Despite the toughness of the race Mick Williams lead Kenilworth Runners in to finish in 71st position in 103.02 minutes. He was followed by Stan Alexander (105th, 107.24), then Sue Taylor, Kenilworth’s only lady to run the race, (*,*), Aiden Keher, (*,*), Bob Griffiths, (*,*) and Mick Morris (*, 155.04).
11/02/07
Fiveways Double - Winter League
On a bright and sunny Sunday morning, ideal for a good tough run, 16 members of Kenilworth Runners met near The Case is Altered Public House near Five Ways to take part in the 5th race of this series of races.
The seven mile, two lap course, started and ended near the Public House, first heading out towards the Five Ways Island but turning into Five Ways Road and heading towards Shrewley. After a mile or so the route turned right into Quarry Lane which it followed up and down two steep hills before turning sharp right to climb up Mousley Hill to reach Five Ways Road and the Public House at 3.5 miles. This was repeated once more to the finish.
Roger Wilkes is now the overall leader with 284 points but is being pressed hard by Stef Shillington the ‘B’ group leader with 281 points and Mick Morris the ‘A’ group leader with 267 points. With three races to go and many points to be won the title is still wide open.
| GROUP |
NAME |
POINTS |
A |
Mick Morris |
267 |
A |
Sally Hicks |
187 |
A |
Mike Seach |
142 |
B |
Stef Shillington |
281 |
B |
Mike Fallaize |
208 |
B |
Richard Greenhalf |
141 |
C |
Robert Thompson |
246 |
C |
Richard Steel |
79 |
C |
Roland Smythe |
45 |
24/02/07
Belvoir Challenge
Three members of Kenilworth Runners travelled to the picturesque village of Harby, in the Vale of Belvoir, Leicestershire, to take part in the annual challenge races. There are two distances available and two of Kenilworth’s athletes chose the 15 mile and the other the longer 26 mile distance.
The two races were organised by the Villagers of Harby and both passed through spectacular but challenging countryside. The shorter route of 15 mile took the competitors through the villages of Stathern, Eaton and Plungar passing through the Belvoir Castle Estate on the way. The 26 mile route, passed through the villages of Goadby Marwood, Chadwell, Waltham on the Wolds, Bescaby, Croxton Kerrial, Harston, Woolsthorpe and also passing by Belvoir Castle to finish at Harby. Both events are very tough made even harder by the recent wet weather.
Stan Alexander and Roland Smythe opted for the shorter course with Stan proving his present excellent form in all cross country races by finishing in 27th position out of a total of 433 competitors who finished the course. Stan’s time was 2 hours 10 minutes and 33 seconds. Roland Smythe finished in 214th position in 3.43.58. John Jones completed the 26 mile route in 9.53.35, finishing in 125th out of 128 finishers.
Sunday 4th February