The Great Langdale Xmas Pudding 10K Sunday, 17^th December 2006

“It is better to have run and lost, than never to have run at all”

MARTIN’S RACE RATINGS:

Scenery: 9

PB potential: 5

Atmosphere: 10

Organisation: 10

Value: 10 (£8.50 to enter – Xmas Pud at finish) Pre-entry essential.

Beginner Friendly: 10

Arrived at the start later than I would have liked, but as we already had numbers, no real panic.

Ran with Peter Waywell and Simon Eaton briefly, but couldn’t keep it up. Settled into a rhythm just behind, Preston’s Dave Preston and spurred on by great Wesham support. The Wrinklys were there ’en masse’ and were calling in at The Watermill on the way home.

At the turn around, Steve Litter was in front, but Jonathan Powell (Durham) and Mike Scott (Border) were on his shoulder. Unfortunately, Steve got a stitch at 4 miles and came in 3^rd.

Today was a glorious day. Last year was snowing and it was a bit slippy. Graham Ingham came alongside me at half way and went in front for approx ¼ of a mile. I tried to ask if Mandy had travelled up, but I was “eyeballs out” and incoherent. Graham seemed to fade slightly and I pressed on. On the way back, at the outskirts of Chapel Stile, spurred on by Boss Wrinkly and Peter Earnshaw, I overtook a group on a small hill and headed for home – about 2 miles to the finish. I felt good and was able to keep it going. I finished just behind the 1^st Lady – Sarah Charnock of St Helens (39:21).

I warmed down with Michaela and we bumped into organiser Rocket Rod Berry running into the finish. He gave Michaela 5. He is a cracking guy and a real character.

We had a couple of pints and headed back to the Langdale Hotel Country Club where we had booked in for the night – www.langdale.co.uk

We had a rest and then went for a swim. The facilities are superb.

The next day was another glorious day and we went for a walk over Wansfell into Troutbeck and back along Jenkin’s Crag.

1^st Jonathan Powell (Durham) 32:03 (5:09 pace)

3^rd Steve Littler 32:12 (5:11)

7^th Alex Rowe 33:50 (5:27) – 1^st MV45

22^nd Peter Waywell 37:06 (5:58)

25^th Peter Cruse 37:29 (6:02)

29^th Derek Buckley 37:55 (6:06)

38^th Simon Eaton 39:17 (6:19)

42^nd Martin Bates 39:23 (6:20)

54th Graham Ingham 40:11 (6:28)

128^th Michaela Dempsey (3^rd FV40) 44:25 (7:09)

213^th Dougie Brown (1^st MV65) 47:25 (7:38)

230^th Julie Cruse 47:50 (7:42)

781 entries, 613 finishers

1^st Male Team Border – 27 points

2^nd Wesham – 32 points (Wesham B – 4^th with 92 points)

1^st Female Team: Preston – 49 points

Written by: Martin Bates

Submitted: 22^nd December 2006

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor

Click on a Letter sent to Martin and Michaela from Rocket Rod – Page 1 – Page 2