There are 4 different distances (or "challenges") on offer, the longest of these being the "Rotary Chaellenge" which, at 14 miles long, is also the thoughest and the one that draws Dawn and Hugh back each year. The object is simple: race a steam train from the start in the town of Tywyn for 7 miles, running through muddy and rutted fields and paths alongside the railway line, then turn around and race it back. Of course, the train's speed is faster than that of the average runner, but it also stops to pick up passengers and to take on water at the halfway turnaround point, which is where competitors must seize their advantage and try to get ahead of it.
The train usually takes between 1h45 and 1h50 to make the round trip. This year it took 1h48m07s and 192 competitors (roughly 20%) managed to beat it: the last of these only just, clocking a time of 1:47:07 exactly: I wonder who was running the lowest on steam in this final sprint to the finish?!
Hugh Marsden not only manages to beat the train year on year, but usually manages to beat most of the other competitors, and certainly most - if not all - of the other runners in his vet 50 age category. This year was not exception. Despite the weather conditions being atrocious this year, making the going underfoot harder, Hugh was only 2 minutes short of his time from last year and once again managed to bag himself a podium finish in his age category. His highly respectable time of 1:40:56 gave him 73rd spot overall and 2nd MV50. Well done once again Hugh!
Hugh leading a group of runners along side the railway line. No sign of the train: must be behind him already!
However, Hugh had a lot to live up to as his partner Dawn was having an absolutely storming run a couple of miles behind him. Dawn has been having the season of her life this year, starting with her amazing win at the Falklands Marathon and continuing with PBs at 5k and course bests at Totnes. On this occasion she set another PB: her fastest time ever on the course. Bearing in mind that Dawn has been running this event every year since 2005, that is an impressive effort! Entering the vet 50 category this year has seemingly injected a whole new dimension into her running as she is getting quicker all the time! Dawn said: "My previous PB was 2:10.02 in 2010 and since then I have been around 2:16, so am over the moon to get 2.07.08!" And so she should be! That is a superb time, particularly in such tough conditions. It gave her a similar placed finish in the ladies race to where Hugh finished in the men's - 72nd - and 560th overall out of 935 finishers. Fantastic running from ladies' captain Dawn, who is proving to be a huge inspiration to the other lady Harriers.
The winner was international athlete and 6-time winner of the Snowdon Race, Andi Jones, in a staggering 1:18:42. Top female was Sarah Ridehalgh of Accrington Road Runners in 1:39:05. (Sorry Hugh: you just got "chicked"!!!)
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