Wreake were out in force for the 33rd Charnwood Hills race on Sunday 3rd Feb.
Regarded as the toughest running race in the county with over 1,500 feet of climbs, the route takes in some of the most beautiful Leicestershire landscapes through and up Bradgate Park, Broombriggs, and Beacon Hill.
This year it was cold and sunny, generally frozen underfoot. First back for the club was Matt F, in his first race as a Vet (!), and his 2nd Bowline, with a time of 1:45:06 (35th overall, 8th in M40 category). Next up was Men’s Captain Luke S in 1:47:50 (48th). Mention also to two Wreakies (running for Bowline) Gav P 1:47:18 (45th) (the 2nd Bowline CC finisher), and Shane G in 1:49:11 (54th).
Next was XC co-captain Mark ‘Bushy’ Bush 1:49:54 (59th, 12th in M45 category). Sam P was next in 1:52:03 (67th), a few seconds behind was Gavin S (1:52:09) with a PB after 9 consecutive Bowlines (68th). Richard B finished in 1:54:50 (82nd overall, 10th in M50 category).
The epic Rose-Hillier battle continues with Dave R finishing just 40 secs ahead in 1:56:16 (92nd), with Bowline first-timer Ian H in 1:56:56 (99th, 20th in M45 category). Scott B was between them, getting a PB with 1:56:29 (96th overall, 18th in M45 category).
John F was the last to dip in under 2hrs in 1:59:21 (21 minutes quicker than last year – he must of stopped in the café last time!), 115th overall and 13th in M50 category. Brian S was next in at 2:01:18 (124th overall, 15th in M50 category).
Anne T returned to Bowline after a decade away from the race, she improved on her time by 15 minutes (2:09:03), 176th overall, the 22nd lady finisher, and 2nd finisher in the W50 section. Two Bowline first-timers: Dan G and chairman Gareth T, Dan completed the race in 2:11:28 (192nd), describing it as the toughest race he’s ever done. Gareth finished in 2:13:29 (201st). Ash Holt knocked 6 minutes off his Bowline previous best with 2:20:17 (230th). Mr bunny ears Mark Jelley (our other XC captain), has had a few years away from the Bowline, and was glad to return and complete it in 2:23:47 (248th). Richard P has ran many a Bowline, and completed the race in 2:29:09 (263rd), before shooting off to watch LCFC lose.
Last (of the Wreakies but not in the race), and not least, was Jane Collingham, a running legend and inspiration to many of us Wreakies. She completed the race in 2:39:30, 15 minutes quicker than the last time she ran it two years ago. 283rd of 307 finishers. She was the 1st lady over 70, and so won a bottle of wine!
The Wreake men’s team (1st three finishers) finished 7th of 10 teams.
Well done to all the Wreake Runners who took part, clearly those club night training runs are paying off!
Full results on the Bowline site: http://www.bowlineclimbingclub.co.uk/pages/charnwood-hills-race-results