There may not be many races to report on this week, but Dave Musgrove took on an epic challenge in Cornwall.
The route of the Endurance Life Classic Quarter follows 44 miles of the South West Coast Path from Lizard Point, the southernmost point of England, to Lands End, the westernmost tip, taking competitors through 90 degrees of the compass. Hence the Classic Quarter name.
The race can be attempted solo or by relay teams of two or four. Those who complete the race as individuals, as Dave did, can earn UTMB qualifying points, an indicator of just how tough this course is.
This is not the first time experienced ultra runner Dave has completed this race. He had hoped to be closer to the 9 hour finish time he achieved last year but felt that was perhaps a little optimistic after his training was interrupted by knee and calf injuries and the dreaded Covid. He experienced some stomach problems after 30 miles but managed to eat some satsumas which helped to sustain him. This was also Dave’s first experience of using poles which, he says, felt slightly like cheating but really helped on the climbs. With 5531 feet of ascent, there were plenty of those. Cheating? We don’t think so!
Congratulations to Dave on another spectacular race completed.
Endurance Life Classic Quarter, 21st May 2022, 44 miles, trail
1 Jamie Stevenson 6.28.58
58 David Musgrove (Cirencester AC) 9.49.24
203 finished, 34 DNF
Amongst the usual array of cracking parkrun performances, Steve Yates had a top 20 finish at Lydiard and was 1st V50. Ollie Campbell was once again 1st at Leamington.
At Cirencester Rob Forbes made a last minute dash to the head of the field and stayed there for the duration. Wendy Nicholls splendid 20.54 meant she was 1st lady. She was closely followed by Neil Morrissey with a new best time for the course and Brian Harris who was 1st V60.
On more undulating local courses, Rachel and Alan McAdam and Sam Timms were in cross country mode at Tetbury and Stroud respectively.
21st May, parkrun, 5k, trail
Lydiard parkrun
1 Courtenay CHESSELL (Unattached) 16:10
18 Steve YATES (Cirencester AC) 19:39
103 David MOSS 25:41
294 finished
Leamington parkrun
1 Ollie CAMPBELL (Cirencester AC) 17:58
453 finished
Cirencester parkrun
1 Rob FORBES (Cirencester AC) 18:09
15 Wendy NICHOLLS 20:54 (1st Lady)
16 Neil MORRISSEY 20:56
24 Brian HARRIS 22:01
51 Gordon JONES 25:00
69 Rachel BARROW 26:29
88 Brendan MCCARTHY 27:32
104 Pamela WHEELER 29:57
163 finished
Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun
1 Simon CARDNELL (Unattached) 18:59
19 Alan MCADAM (Cirencester AC) 26:26
27 Rachel MCADAM 27:50
73 finished
Stratford Park parkrun, Stroud
1 Charlie WORSFOLD (Unattached) 19:29
48 Samantha TIMMS (Cirencester AC) 31:36
64 finished