Coniston 14 Saturday, 24^th March 2007

This year’s event has been overshadowed somewhat by the untimely death of Dave Clarke – a minute’s tribute was held at the start of the race; not a minute’s silence, but a minute’s clapping in appreciation of his superb work done for races including this one.

Scenery: 10

Atmosphere: 10 – numerous Wrinklys scattered about the course shouting encouragement, (and wisecracks!)

Organisation: 10

Value: 10 - £12 to enter

Beginner Friendly: 0 – do a few runners start early??? Because I was passing a few in the later stages that couldn’t have set off at 11! Perhaps they had put their clocks back a day early!

Do it again: Yes – please don’t change anything!!!

A gang of us stayed at The Queens at Ambleside, (organised by Pete Cruse). Capt’n Barlow was the only one to have a full breakfast, (on top of a skinfull on Friday night), and he was our second finisher!

Kirsty Waywell had put a message out to meet by the Start for a team photo at 10.45am. John Keohane and I were there ready, but no sign of our Official Photographer or the rest of the Wesham posse. It turned out the marshals wouldn’t let people get back out through the gate by the Start and John and I had missed our chance! I was slightly worried because I‘d left Michaela and Dette with Levon at 10.40am and, when I came back, no sign of anyone. (Nikki Barlow and Lynne Kennedy were looking after Levon).

Michaela and I were both going to do a fell race from Elterwater Common tomorrow, but, after half a mile, I thought: “There’s no way I’m doing the fell race!” Michaela and I have both being doing too many races, but her motto is: “BRING ‘EM ON!”

I thought I’d start off steady after setting off too fast at Dent. I knew I was definitely in trouble when George, ‘I hate hills’ Kennedy overtook me…..on a hill! Russ Mabbett appeared to be struggling more than me. I overtook him quite early on.

It was a terrific day and I admired the scenery. I didn’t used to like the Coniston area, but it’s definitely grown on me. The route went past a row of cottages where the only access appeared to be a bridge across a stream. I’ll have to remember to do the Lottery! At the first drinks station, Dave Lord from Clayton must have dropped out as he was dishing out water.

I thought George was well gone, but he started to come back to me – the hills must have finally got to him. I went past and then I caught up with Joanna Goorney and whispered that there was a couple of girls close by. I tried to encourage her as best as I could. We ran together for a while. It was Joanna’s first Coniston and I don’t think she was enjoying the hills! I’ve got a feeling in my water she’ll still do great at London.

I noticed a few wooden sculptures and a cow in a wood! I heard some heavy breathing approaching – it was Peter Gleaves. I took off again, but was never to far in front as I could hear people shouting Peter’s name.

When John Whiteman, (and camera), came into view, I was in the middle of three runners and vanity kicked in. I squeezed my ample frame through a small gap and went to the front of the group.

At about a mile to go a lady spectator shouted to a Darwen lady, “You’re looking strong and you can take him!” (Me). That spurred me on again and I picked a few more off in front…..cheeky git!

Brian Porter and Ron McAndrew were helping out at the Finish Area. A photographer, to do with the race, took a Wesham group photo because we were so noticeable in our ‘strength in numbers’, also from years gone by, and said it would eventually be on the Coniston 14 site :-

www.coniston14.co.uk

One or two casualties were coming in – a chap wracked with cramp screaming in agony and a Blackpool runner in a wheelchair who looked really dehydrated.

Wesham won the Men and Ladies Team prizes.

We heard later that Jenny Salt and Yvonne Russell had arrived late. They’d got lost – arrived at Coniston via Penrith. They’d set off 23 minutes late though and still picked off 50 or so runners! Next time girls, let a man drive!

At night, the men watched the match and the girls went out on the lash. Later, there were reports of a Wesham lady sliding down the banister copious times at the hotel in front of the night porter who insisted she refrained from doing so… ’t was like a red rag to a bull - apparently! Levon and I were fast asleep at this time after smuggling fish and chips back to our room.

One or two couples forgot to put their clocks back and missed breakfast.

We met up at 11 o’clock for a magnificent six and a half mile walk round Loughrigg, organised by Dave Waywell, stopping for a snack at Cote Howe, Rydal. My 9 year old son, Levon did really well – he must have run a third of it. Dave forgot to put a ticket on his car for our three hour walk…………..and believe it or not, he got away with it!!

We couldn’t leave the Lakes without having a pint and stopped at the Wateredge Hotel, Waterhead for a couple of pints of Jennings Cumberland.

Thanks to Peter Cruse for organising the digs, but could I have my Vaseline back please Peter?

Written by: Martin Bates

Submitted: 26^th March 2007

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor