June

[Moyleman]

Up at the ungodly hour of 4am, my task, navigator for the Brighton and Hove Ladies team running this demanding challenge. Approx. 96 miles between Eastbourne and Winchester in 18 stages.

Met the crew @ Withdean stadium - good friend 'soft' Alan, driving the minibus.

Start Beachy Head, Eastbourne. 46 teams of six with staggered starts between 6am and 9am, every half hour. The ladies had opted for the 6am start as it gave them the most time for finishing. There was also a cutoff @ the end of stage 15 at 6:45pm.

A runner from each team had to carry a baton on their stage, these are spaced out on the South Downs way between 3.5 to 8 miles. Each stage finishing at a convenient place on route for the support vehicles to park up and get the next runner prepped for their leg.
Where there was a particularly busy road finish it became a 2 baton changeover. The finishing runner stopping across the road from the next one who then carried another supplied baton.

It was a day for concentration and immersion in the event. I worked out the route a couple of stages in advance as we were driving. Not particularly hard up until half way as that was at Washington, just past Steyning. I knew the running routes and roads circumventing these to get to the next stage.

Once we got into extreme West Sussex / Hampshire it got trickier as I decided to use scenic routes - 1 track roads to get to our destination speedily. It worked well - each runner having plenty of time to prepare for their changeover. Some roads were particularly rutted and difficult to negotiate - Alan did a brilliant job driving all day.

We also took in some fantastic scenery as we got into Hampshire - picture postcard photos. I'd wished I had taken my running boots to accompany them on a couple of legs.

Got caught out on one stage, lost my concentration. I'd been frazzled in the sun waiting on a longish leg for the next runner and negotiating to the next stage we went the wrong way 3 times - but I realised my mistakes quickly and we got back on track.

The girls were great, vocal and humourous all day. It was a pleasure and
they ended up finishing in about 14hrs 15mins - beating last years time by an hour.

Finished off with a lovely meal at Chilcomb sports ground. A Guiness only the original can variety on offer - bah! horrible stuff.

The Brighton Men's vets had a classy team and won in 10hrs 45mins, beating their nearest rivals by 12 mins. They got the Vets cup, the overall trophy and a medal - a good haul by them.

One race, despite the shortness of the stages to put on my wishlist.
Need a Brighton 'B' team for next year - entrance however is invitation only.

Will have to twist a few arms !