Hereford Couriers
by Bill Lloyd
10 back to back stage races following the 105 mile Cotswold Way National Trail from Chipping Camden to Bath.
The weather was not as bad as forecasts earlier in the week had predicted. For most of the day conditions were pretty good for running, except perhaps for the final leg in to Bath, but Steve didn’t seem to mind. However, the wet conditions did make the terrain a bit slick under foot. Route finding was really the governing issue, but despite all but myself knowing their route, nobody was put off. Follow the guy in front was the order of the day. We didn’t lose out too much with this strategy except perhaps Dave, who dropped from 6th to 16th near the end of one of the hardest legs. Travel and support logistics worked to plan. My Mum’s help here was invaluable – with support on my recce’s as well as on race day, and also with greatly appreciated food. Ashley, Alison and Julie also provided welcome support at various places around the route.
Thank you everyone for your commitment. Every member of the team put in a sterling effort.
We finished 14th out of 63 overall and 9th out of 23 in the senior men’s category.
Individual results are as follows:
Stage 1 (12 miles from Chipping Camden
to Stanway): William Lloyd 5th - 1:24:37
Stage 2 (12 miles from Stanway to Cleeve Common): Tim Clarke 3rd - 1:26:48
Stage 3 (8.5 miles from Cleeve Common to Seven Springs): Mark Adams 35th -
1:15:46
Stage 4 (12.5 miles from Seven Springs to Cranham Corner): Matt James 4th -
1:29:02
Stage 5 (12.5 miles from Cranham Corner to Stroud): Dave Williams 16th -
1:36:30
Stage 6 (9 miles from Stroud to Dursley): Max Suff 6th - 1:10:25
Stage 7 (7 miles from Dursley to Wotton Under Edge): Kevin Barnes 33rd -
1:12:48
Stage 8 (12 miles from Wotton Under Edge to Old Sodbury): Martin Slack 29th
- 1:48:40
Stage 9 (9 miles from Old Sodbury to Cold Ashton): Richard Wall 17th -
1:13:08
Stage 10 (10 miles from Cold Ashton to Bath Abbey): Steve Herington 12th -
1:12:20
Full results are on the web site www.cotswoldwayrelay.co.uk . I’ve also printed them out if anyone wants to look.
Photos are below, which tell their own story. There are more if interested.
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Briefing at the start of Leg 1 at Chipping Camden. |
Tim finishing a good 3rd on Leg 2 at Cleeve Common. |
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Mark finishing well on Leg 3 at Seven Springs. |
Matt starting strongly on Leg 4 at Seven Springs. |
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Dave losing his number, after losing his way, finishing on Leg 5 at Ebley Mill. |
Max finishing well up the field on Leg 6 at Dursley. |
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Kevin giving his all, finishing Leg 7 at Wotton under Edge. |
Martin putting in a good effort, finishing on Leg 8 at Old Sodbury. |
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Richard making it look easy, finishing on Leg 9 at Cold Ashton. |
Steve finishing fast on the glory leg at Bath Abbey. |
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