Category: News

So, this time last year, I was a real ‘newbie’ to Henfield Joggers and was part of the cheering squad for those running the Roundhill Romp. The weather was fabulous and we cheered everyone in and enjoyed a drink and barbeque afterwards (as you do)! The atmosphere was great and you could see everyone running down the steep decent to the finish. I remember thinking to myself that it looked great, but “you won’t ever catch me doing that!” Fast forward a year and I’m not sure if I was feeling brave having finished the pub run from the Shepherd & Dog, Fulking which featured an rather challenging hill, or my shandy had gone to my head, but I somehow found myself saying “yes yes, I’ll a have a go” .

It was again a wonderfully sunny evening and after eventually finding a parking space, joined the rest of the group at the start. There was a lovely big group of Henfield Joggers doing the race this year, distinctive by our green vests and our happy optimism. The start of the run sent us off along the road and up a slow incline which turned into an undulating run on fairly narrow tracks until hitting ‘the hill’ which was really steep and seemed to go on forever! The sign some way up which said “there is no shame in walking” made me giggle as that is exactly what most of us were doing. The good humour and camaraderie between all the runners, no matter what our club or ability, kept us going and the view from the top was worth it; it even felt like the sheep were cheering us on. After some more undulating terrain it was a relief to be going downhill, dodging the tree roots and flint before being serenaded by a guitar playing marshal singing Eric Clapton’s “you look wonderful tonight” which made me laugh out loud given my rosy red face that would undoubtedly be a moving beacon. Into the home straight and some very distinctive encouragement led by Danielle, Lesley and I broke into the obligatory sprint finish (she taught me well) and I was delighted to receive a medal for finishing – my first one ever!

Whilst I found the run hard (and to be fair I find every run hard), I did feel a real sense of achievement and it was really lovely the others had waited to cheer us in behind them and get a group photo at the finish….followed by a well-earned drink down the pub of course!

Nikki Hargrave

Dave kindly took some photographs of our sojourning in the evening sun this week – you can find them all here in the Gallery!

Awesome!

That’s your report for the moment – I have so much to do to get this down it will have to wait a day or two while I get everything done –  200+ photograph’s to document the event and the individual acts of personal commitment that characterised the whole day. The summary is that Henfield Vets finished the 97.6 miles in 13 hours 48 minutes, the Henfield A team finished a mere 16 minutes later in 14 hours and 4 minutes. The report from the Marshalls at Saddlescombe is separate, but let me tell you that pulling into Saddlescombe after the torrential downpours in the hour or two before was a terrific boost – it felt like ‘home advantage’! Thanks to EVERYONE who made this day possible, and of course especially to the two drivers, Richard and Mark, without whom we may as well have stayed in bed! More to follow, but you can see all the photographs in the Gallery here! (Note that these are quite low resolution and un-improved by cropping etc – if anyone wants a ‘proper’ version (and there are some good individual shots) just drop me a line and I’ll send you a copy of the high resolution image!)

Having committed, imagine our despair at preparing to leave home with the rain absolutely falling out of the sky. Sorry runners, you at least are moving, the prospect of just standing in such conditions …… But we wouldn’t let Nick out support team organiser down. Well they say the sun shines on the righteous…..   After a team briefing, Liz and I took up our post and after a very short spell of light rain, we found ourselves basking in sunshine amongst our beautiful countryside. We even managed to find time for the coffee we brought with us! The excitement of waiting for the runners and the importance of shouting their numbers to Danielle and Fabian who were stopping them from running into the road and directing the next team member off, made the few hours fly by. Well I say directed, ordered was more like! Danielle certainly found her voice and how perfect it was for today – crystal clear! As 2 cyclists riding the South Downs Way said, heard for miles before seen!!

Nick did a great job on checking on us all and making us feel appreciated and that we played an important part in the event. Even the race Director, Richard and his son chatted with us!

Once Chris confirmed the last runner was through and we could close ‘our leg’ of the race, there was a lovely mini get-together over the most delicious chocolate brownies made by Tina and excellent toffee apple cake made by Cathy, (great volunteering Girls at Club Night!)! As always, we manage to get food involved in any kind of social!

So, anyone knowing in the future they won’t run the South Downs Relay (and nothing changed our minds on that one today! Full respect to the HJs team though!), don’t hesitate to get involved in the support team – it was good fun with great camaraderie.

Well played all.

More photographs from the day can be found here.

Gill

The marshals who joined me at Saddlescombe were awesome. The whole thing ran so smoothly it was like clockwork. If the same helpers would do it again next year I would be very pleased to organise it again. Thanks guys

Nick

And from Chris:

Saddlescombe checkpoint manned successfully. 60 teams passed through.

One team considered that Saddlescombe is one of the two most difficult checkpoints to handle – because of the busy road, poor visibility, layout of the junctions, and need for teams to park elsewhere.

Thanks to all of our Joggers for their efforts marshalling.

Danielle’s work was particularly noted – in shouting start orders from the far side of the road.  Loud and authoritative, and much admired.

Some wondered whether she took particular pleasure in being able to shout at the mainly male field of runners!!

Chris