Four ultra-distance athletes from Beverley Athletic Club competed in the Woldsman 50-mile Challenge Event last Saturday.
Organised by the East Yorkshire Branch of the Long Distance Walkers Association, competitors can choose to run or walk. Starting and finishing at Driffield Show Ground and following a route through Sledmere, Wharram Percy, Thixendale, Givendale, Huggate and Wetwang, the event demands stamina, determination and navigation skills.
Mike Blamires completed the first half of the event in only 4 hours but after 28 miles a problem with his right foot forced him to walk the next few miles to retire at the checkpoint in Givendale – a great pity as he had trained hard for the event and if he had been able to maintain this pace he would have finished in record time.
Brian Richardson was the first Beverley athlete to finish arriving back in Driffield just after 9 pm after 13 hours on his feet. He had run much of the first 35 miles and then walked. He was very pleased with his performance and particularly with his navigation skills.
Next home was Ivor Roberts who enthused about the great red sunset caused by the volcanic dust from Iceland. The lack of light pollution on the rural route allowed a clear view of the crescent moon, Venus and a great starry night sky – a wonderfully uplifting sight for weary competitors.
Pete McNally walked the full 50-mile distance in 17 hours but the hard ground did not agree with his feet and he suffered with blisters.
All Beverley competitors commented afterwards on the excellent organisation and wonderful refreshments provided in village halls along the route.
The first person to finish is believed to be Jim Rogers of East Hull Harriers in an incredible time of 7 hours 48 minutes.
Beverley Athletic Club finishing times: Brian Richardson 13 hours; Ivor Roberts 13 hours 45; Pete McNally 17 hours.
