Another favourite on the race calendar – despite that massive hill, we put out an incredibly strong roster of 8 mixed teams. Particularly impressive when you consider there were 50 teams in total.

We prepared ourselves at the start/finish area with a mix of nerves and excitement – the Steelworks veterans sharing insights on how bad the hill was, tactics for attacking it and strategies for not blowing up on first bit “there’s two more hills after that first one” – how right they were.

Setting off on the first leg for each our teams were:

• Chris Hewitson
• Ian Maddison
• Matthew Scott
• Claire Thompson
• Charlotte Bowes
• Eleanor Shotton
• Duncan Marshall
• Andrew Walton

With all eight getting teams off to a flying start, in what was probably perfect running conditions, not too hot, not too cold, and barely a breath of wind to complain about!

Leg two saw our initial 8 head over the finish line, to release the next from their teams as they crossed over – really well managed by the Blackhill Bounders team. Second leg runners were:

• Bex Hewitson
• Simon Hutchinson
• Al Rook
• Claire Knox
• Vanessa Armstrong
• Alex Fiddes
• Jill Lee
• Megan Williams

The final leg change overs saw the last push for the finish, with anchor runners:

• Paul Brunger
• Vicky Parker
• Laura Peacock
• Rob Peacock
• John Kirby
• Terry Owens
• Lauren Smith
• Sally Ann Greenwell

Tremendous efforts from all 24 of our runners and brilliant to see so many other club members and committee out supporting on the course to cheer everyone on.

With the final results processed, our 1st team home were team 1; finishing in a brilliant 4th place overall – coming in at 40:26, only 1min 14 behind third placed Crook. Paul was the joint 4th fastest individual, with Bex coming home as 7th quickest female.

Brilliant efforts and finishes from all of our other teams saw:

Team 3 – Matthew, Al and Laura in 20th in 45:24

Team 4 – Claire, Claire and Rob in 29th in 49:34

Team 5 were hot in their heels in 30th – Charlotte, Vanessa and John, in 49:39

Team 7 – Duncan, Jill and Lauren in 32nd, in 50:12

Team 6 – Eleanor, Alex and Terry in 37th, in 51:49

Team 8 hot on their heels in 38th – Andrew, Megan and Sally Ann, in 51:51

Team 2 rounding out the DVRC squad in 50th with Ian, Simon and Vicky in 1:00:17

In having 8 full teams, we were amongst the biggest clubs represented on the night, and it really shows the strength we have to provide the maximum number allowed – and still have reserves who could’ve formed another 2 full teams between them!

We’re super proud of the efforts of everyone representing the club on the night – we’ll be back next year with the experience of this! Megan and her team even managed to walk away with a prize from the quiz during the presentations.

Full results can be downloaded from the links below

Next stop, Pier to Pier on Sunday…