With seemingly most of the world on holiday it was left to a very intrepid bunch of 11 RFRC members to keep the club colours flying this week at the LDWA Dorset Doddle 32-mile ultra. This is a tough event, with over 6000 feet of elevation and an endless supply of headlands beyond which the finish line never quite materialises, until mercifully it does! Nonetheless, every one of the brave souls finished despite much grumbling about it being very much not ‘a doddle’.
First back was John Hunt in 7:36, who continues to put in amazing performances after coming back from serious injury. He was followed in by ultra regular Andy Burges completing his 87 marathon/ultra in 7:47, and then Sam Wharton and Mark Wilson made it home in 8:12, followed by Sue Lewis in 8:34. Emma Greig showed her experience by cutting across a small piece of grass to finish in 9:56, leaving Chris Gunn and Andrew Phillips in her wake just 1 minute behind. There is an unsubstantiated rumour that Chris Gunn made the first bus to the start line, but without photographic evidence this has to remain as hearsay.
The final trio was made up of Lee Macklin (10:53) and then Paula Mcshane and Rob Murr in 10:55. Fantastic achievement all of you – especially without a medal as a reward!
parkrun saw 25 from RFRC at Longrun Meadow, with tourists visiting Eastleigh, Exmouth, Llanishen, Mallards Pike and Southsea.