14 make it to the bitter end (From Barry And District News)

14 make it to the bitter end

FOR the first time in the 20-year history of the Barry 40-mile track race, race day dawned with snow on the ground.

It was only a dusting, admittedly, but sufficient to warrant a barrage of early morning phone calls to race director Mick McGeoch's house.

"Was the race still on?"

Ultra runners are a hardy breed. They don't log thousands of miles to be deterred by a bit of rough weather. Of course the race was on.

Twenty three of the 30 race entries reported to race registration. The weather was bitterly cold, obviously, but there were two other critical factors.

The prevailing wind was a spiteful, energy-sapping constant, but it was also very damp. Indeed, exactly the sort of weather that, if you once got too cold, getting warm again would prove a forlorn hope. Choice of race kit was never more important.

The race start was almost a relief. Watching the early laps of an ultra are fascinating. Like an Agatha Christie thriller, the outcome is notoriously difficult to predict.

The early leaders were Jim Rogers (East Hull Harriers) and Andrew Farquarson (Kent AC), closely followed by pre-race favourite Stuart Buchan (Kingston-upon-Hull). Stuart led last year's race for 156 of 161 circuits, only to be overhauled in sight of the finish.

His relatively conservative opening laps were an indication that he didn't intend to repeat that experience.

Fourth and fifth were two newcomers, Rob Wood (Taunton AC) and John Pares (Buckley Running Club), both of whom had showed good recent ultra form.

Through five miles Jim and Andy clocked 32:33, with Stuart 33:15, and Rob and John 33:31.

Five athletes still on the same circuit at this stage had all the hallmarks of a closely-fought, tactical encounter.

These relative positions were much the same at 10 miles. Andy and Jim were still together (64:48), while Stuart was not losing any further ground in third (65:40).

John and Rob also kept each other company (66:46). At this stage, there was still quite a lot of talking going on between athletes, as race strategies were being thought out.

Jim Rogers took a clear lead shortly after, but a "pit stop" on Lap 56 saw him concede it once more. John Pares also had to stop on Lap 50, and by 15 miles was more than four minutes adrift of the leader.

Was this a first sign of the weather taking its toll? Some of the runners were visibly bending into the headwind as they entered the home straight on each circuit.

By halfway, the leading positions were starting to close up. Jim Rogers led in 2:12:15, but by just ten seconds from Stuart, and Andy only six seconds back in third.

Three athletes within 100 metres - this was turning into the thriller one might have expected. John Pares was now starting to reclaim some of the deficit (2:15:15) and Rob Wood was still in touch with 2:15:43.

In the ladies' race, Sue Taylor (Kenilworth Run-ners) led Loretta Daley (Cardiff AAC) by four minutes at 10 miles, and her 20-mile time of 2:52:20 gave her an 11-minute advantage. Both looked in good shape.

The first retirement from the race came after 41 laps. Bob Emmerson (Leaming-ton C & AC) completed every Barry 40 between 1986 and 2002, setting 11 world bests in the process.

However, in 2004 he had a replacement left hip fitted, and he has only relatively recently been able to resume training.

The weather was by now beginning to influence proceedings. Having run so fluently for so long, Stuart Buchan suddenly started to slow, and retired after 95 laps.

Andy Farquarson was also having problems, and Jim Rogers was moving clear. However, moving faster than anyone was John Pares, and he clearly began to sense that victory was possible.

As a useful reference point, Marathon times for the first three were now Jim 2:53:07, John 2:55:28 and Andy 2:56:28.

John was relentless in his pursuit, and was actually speeding up. The section between the Marathon distance and 30 miles is often psychologically the hardest of the event.

The body is very, very tired, but there's still a significant distance to run. Several further retirements occurred in this section, including Andy Farquar-son after 116 laps and Rob Wood after 110. The race looked to be between Jim and John.

By 30 miles, Jim's lead was down to 18 seconds, 3:19:33 to 3:19:51. Third place was now held by Andy Cleves, who, though running well, was 16 minutes in arrears.

On lap 122, John took the lead. Having run so well for 30 miles, Jim began to struggle, and eventually retired after 130 laps. The ladies' race was also effectively decided around this time, as Sue Taylor also withdrew after 122 laps.

The final 10 miles is always the toughest physically, and for the leaders it was a case of keeping the head down and finishing a very tough job.

John Pares took his foot off the throttle a little with the race won, but looked in total control. To be able to run the second half of the race a minute quicker than the first spoke volumes for not only his race preparation, but also his self-control, a vital ingredient in the ultra runner's armoury.

While his time of 4:29:14 may look unspectacular, these were the toughest conditions in the 20-year history of the race.

It was the first time since 1991 that a Welshman had won the event.

Andy Cleves also showed fantastic pace judgment to place second in 4:48:49.

Having won the Welsh Ultradistance three times previously, taking the silver to such a performance as John's was an excellent showing. Another regular to Barry, Walter Hill, was rewarded for his long journey from the south-east with an excellent third spot.

Walter has been a regular 24-hour performer for the UK in recent years, and that experience shone through yet again.

Finish of the day was that which decided fifth and sixth places. After a cat-and-mouse battle for the last half dozen laps, Jeremy Mower (Gloucester AC) outsprinted Frank Moritz (LG Hubersdorf, Switzerland) in the final 100 metres.

Loretta Daley (Cardiff AAC) took the ladies' race with something of a flourish.

Having been a short-distance track runner for most of her 14 -year athletic career, she has taken to ultras and her determination to finish the longest event of her life was inspiring, even producing a last-lap sprint to ensure a sub-seven hour clocking.

A total of 14 of the 23 starters finished the race, a remarkable testament to the fitness of all, especially in the conditions.

Inevitably after such an event, many Thank Yous were in order: to the athletes, obviously, but especially to the officials who helped out on such a tough day.

Lap scorers, official timekeepers, feed station helpers, they were all heroes. Pip Hyatt was thanked again for providing the refreshments that kept everyone going.

Thanks were also given to the local council, for the facilities, with a special thank you to groundsman Bill Cooke, who was first into the stadium, last man to leave, and stayed and helped throughout.

Barry 40-Mile Track Race - Sunday March 12, 2006

30 Entries accepted

23 Starters

14 Completed the 40 miles

Official Result

1. John Pares (V40)Buckley Running Club4:29:14

2. Andy ClevesLes Croupiers4:48:49

3. Walter Hill (V50)Crawley AC5:04:48

4. Matthew Hobson100 Km. Association5:16:32

5. Jeremy Mower (V40)Gloucester AC5:19:26

6. Frank MoritzLG Hubersdorf (Switzerland)5:19:31

7. Tony Holling (V50)Port Talbot Harriers5:36:05

8. Terry Caveney (V45)Les Croupiers5:40:49

9. Alan Mann (V45)Les Croupiers5:48:58

10. Richard Brewer (V50)Les Croupiers5:51:03

11. Malcolm Knight (V60)Newbury AC6:29:31

12. John Keogh (V55)Hunters Bog Trotters6:45:49

13. Mark Green (V50)100 Km. Association6:50:18

14. Loretta Daley (LV40)Cardiff AAC6:59:21

Retirements

Jim Rogers (V40)East Hull Harriers130 laps in 3:38:56

Chris Carver (V40)Otley AC124 laps in 3:58:13

Sue Taylor Kenilworth Runners122 laps in 4:33:40

Andy Farquharson (V40)Kent AC116 laps in 3:15:39

Rob Wood (V40)Taunton AC110 laps in 3:12:23

Paul Tranter (V40)Unattached106 laps in 3:15:51

Stuart Buchan (V45)Kingston-Upon-Hull AC 95 laps in 2:12:25

Gary Hyatt (V55)Les Croupiers 75 laps in 2:41:28

Bob Emmerson (V70)Leamington C & AC 41 laps in 1:36:23

Welsh Ultradistance Championship

The race incorporated the 17th edition of the Welsh Ultradistance Championship.

Of the 30 entries, nine qualified for the Welsh Championship, and all nine of these started the race. John Pares showed tremendous pace judgment to move through the field in the second half of the race, thereby winning the Welsh title at his first attempt.

It was also the first time since 1991 that a Welshman has won the race outright.

Three times previous Welsh winner, Andy Cleves, ran his usual well controlled race to place second overall, and was still moving well at the end.

This was his highest overall placing in five attempts. Jeremy Mower from Gloucester repeated his bronze medal placing from last year, and finished the race with a thrilling sprint to secure fifth place in the race.

In the ladies' race, Loretta Daley showed tremendous determination to secure the Welsh Title in her debut at the distance.

A visually-impaired athlete, Loretta's run was an inspiration to all who witnessed it, and a last-lap flourish ensured a sub-seven-hour clocking.

Welsh Men's 40-Mile Championship

1. John ParesBuckley Running Club4:29:14

2. Andy ClevesLes Croupiers4:48:49

3. Jeremy MowerGloucester AC5:19:26

4. Tony HollingPort Talbot Harriers5:36:05

5. Terry CaveneyLes Croupiers5:40:49

6. Alan MannLes Croupiers5:48:58

7. Richard BrewerLes Croupiers5:51:03

Welsh Ladies 40 Mile Championship

1. Loretta DaleyCardiff AAC6:59:21

Open Race

1. John ParesBuckley Running Club4:29:14

2. Andy ClevesLes Croupiers4:48:49

3. Walter HillCrawley AC5:04:48

Other recipients of trophies as winners of sub-categories within the event were:(Eligibility for male trophies is dependent upon finishing outside the first three)

Ladies' Race

Loretta Daley Cardiff AAC6:59:21

Male 40-44

Jeremy MowerGloucester AC5:19:26

Male 45-49

Terry Caveney Les Croupiers5:40:49

Male 50-59

Tony HollingPort Talbot Harriers5:36:05

Male 60-69