Mallards Pike Galoppen
SW League (5 of 9)
There were some more excellent results for Quantock runners in the Forest of Dean, which also served as the third race in this weekend's Triple Gloucester challenge
The planners cleverly reused terrain from Saturday's Middle Distance race at the same venue (see illustration from the Brown course). Richard Sansbury and Steve Robertson again excelled and Steve finished ahead of Bristol OK's Gavin Clegg. More local bragging rights were earned by Roger Craddock, finishing ahead of Rosie Wych on Green. Albeit a Rosie already on her third race in 24 hours, a feat Rosie shared with Andy Rimes and Richard.
Ollie Lewis finished 14th out of nearly 40 runners on Yellow. Martin Lewis continues to take technical terrain in his stride in his debut season and finished halfway down the field on Light Green. Martin is the latest recipient of a virtual certificate from our national association (BOF) for navigational achievement. He joins several others on four stars. About one in every five of our members has gone onto the next level to become officially accredited five star navigators!
There was a surprise on Short Green where Bill Vigar mispunched. Julia Robertson, playing tortoise to Bill's hare, was half an hour behind Bill halfway round that same course before Bill's mishap. She managed to finish more than an hour ahead of another competitor as well!
Andy Rimes, John Trayler, Karen and Annabelle Lewis also made the trip.
Next up
The next race in the series of nine is on the south west side of the New Forest this coming Sunday (11 February)
New Forest terrain is a typically a chequerboard of rough open land and woodland, with clearings, marshes and criss-crossing streams providing an intoxicating mix of navigational challenges. It can be highly runnable to boot.