CHARD Road Runners were off to several races this weekend – the Conquest of Avalon 50, the Martock 10k and the Race to the Bill Triathlon based on Portland.

Getting ready for a start on Saturday, Stuart and Roddy McLean and Andrew Leeson were informed the race had been cancelled due to the race director being taken ill.

With all the training and preparation done, the trio decided to undertake the race un-supported through the official aid stations. 

Setting off at 8.30am, this was now a mainly self-navigation 50-mile trail route from Ham Hill, via Castle Cary, Bruton, round to South Brewham to touch on Bruton for a second time, before heading out towards the Somerset Levels through Lamyatt, Ditchet, Lower Wraxall, West Pennard and finally on to Glastonbury Tor, before descending to the Abbey and the Tor Leisure Centre for the finish.

The route was very challenging so the three stuck together throughout and finished in a fantastic time of 10h 27m 48s. 

All three runners wish race director David Unwin all the best for a speedy recovery.

The next race for CRRs was the super flat Martock 10k, an all-road event which sets off from the fire station in the centre of the village before heading out into the countryside.

Running for CRRs were Liam Whyte, Matt Baker, James Musselwhite, Claire Gibbs, Miranda Elsie and Nicky Smith.

With the flat start and a wide road to start off, all CRRs made good progress in the field of 400 runners, heading out to the 5k marker.

Whyte was making excellent progress, and just on his heels Baker was chasing hard, looking for his second PB of the week (having hit a 5k PB at the Yeovilton series race).

Musselwhite rounded the marker still feeling strong, with Gibbs running well and being chased hard by Elsie and Smith. 

Coming into the finish at the fire station, Whyte crossed the line with a real sprint finish in 45:54 (64th out of 400). 

Baker recorded a PB of 47:55 (81st), ahead of Musselwhite (51:05, 110th) and – pushing hard right to the line for a season PB – Gibbs in 01:02:46 (292nd). 

Elsie posted 01:04:46 (319th), and keeping her pace to the finish with a new PB was Smith (01:13:30, 371st).

The last of the events was the Race To The Bill Triathlon, involving three CRRs – Wayne Loveridge, Mike Egan and Martin Holly.

They left Chard at 5am for their early swim, tackling the classic distance of 1500m, followed by 40k cycle and finishing with a 10k run.

From the off, Loveridge put in a strong swim, while Egan and Holly made good headway in their weakest discipline.

Entering the transition, the trio soon found the windy conditions were making cycling difficult on the top of Portland Bill.

Loveridge kept up contention with the race leaders, while Egan and Holly were picking up places over the three laps of the island before the second transition and heading into the run.

Loveridge picked up a few places over the 10km, while Holly suffered from cramp early in the run and had to slow down to ensure he finished, but Egan picked up the pace.

Loveridge crossed the line in the top 10, Egan came across the line strongly, with Holly keeping focused to cross the line in good form.

THE Chard Road Runners-hosted Forde Abbey 10k cross country race is being held on Wednesday, June 27, at Forde Abbey, along with a junior 1500m run.

The junior race is at 6.15pm, the senior race (ages 17+) at 7pm.
Runners can enter on the evening or online via www.fullonsport.com/event/forde-abbey-cross-country-10k-2018/profile.

The 1500m race is for primary school children and below, with no lower age limit, and adults can accompany their child.

The junior race is free to enter; participants must register on the evening.