Reports on RRR 2005

  Round Rotherham page, RHAC page, Full Results Page

Rotherham Advertiser, by Don Gill

Plenty to Bragg about for Jeremy

WEST Midlands man Jeremy Bragg made a remarkable winning debut in Saturday's 23rd running of Rowbotham's Round Rotherham 50 mile cross-country trail race. Despite the muddy underfoot conditions, 24-year-old Bragg covered the tracks, trails and roads around the borough in 6 hours 33 minutes 56 seconds-the second fastest achieved in the history of the race, behind Rotherham Harrier Chris Parkes' l996 course record of 6:17.

The Solihull chartered surveyor's strong running performance on the day brought him across the finishing line at Brampton Leisure Centre well clear of the opposition. But it was his thorough preparation before the event that was the key to his victory. Bragg looked amazingly fresh after his triumph - despite having competed the previous weekend in the Luton Marathon in which he finished in 11th place in 2:56. He said: "The Round Rotherham has a great reputation within the sport and I'm really chuffed to have won such a well established event at the first attempt.

"I came up to Rotherham four weeks ago to reconnoitre the route. The map supplied to competitors is excellent and I managed to find my way around the entire course. The exercise proved well worthwhile and gave me the confidence to press on even though I was running on my own after the first checkpoint.  The sticky and slippery conditions made the going really tough but the weather was perfect."  Bragg has only been running seriously for four years After his rugby footballing career was brought to a premature end through injury. A member of the Trail Running Association he completed the 145-mile Grand Union Canal run in May but he is a relative newcomer to ultra distance.  Second was England lOOkm international Gary Woolgar (44). It was the first time that the Brighton and Hove AC nmner had competed in the race and he completed the route in 7:28.56. Last year's winner, Dumfries RC man Les Hill, was satisfied to be placed third this time around.  Scottish international Hill found the underfoot conditions much tougher than in 2004 and was pleased to record a time of 7:57.21.

Rotherham Harriers top man was once again the consistent Kerry Booth (44). A winner in 2002 the Kiveton Park athlete was content with his effort of 8:02.12 that saw him repeat his last year's fourth place in the men's event.  Not far behind Booth in overall sixth was Edinburgh based Rotherham Harrier Bill Watson (8:17.19).

A comfortable winner of the women's race was Great Britain ultra distance runner Sharon Gayter in a time of 07:59:27, in fourth position overall. Anne Wade (45) from Coventry improved on her fourth place of last year to fill runners-up spot on 9:27.30. Crossing the line in joint third on 9:39.40 were 2004 winner Cath Worth (47) and another former winner, her North Yorkshire Moors AC team-mate Kendra Ann White (37).

Making a hat-trick of wins in the eight stage relay was Rotherham Harriers Older Men in Black veterans team of John Comrie, Dave Nuttall, Peter Neal, Terry Eastwood, Alan Chell, John Atkinson, Nigel Brooks and Peter Shaw with a time of 5:51.26. As last year, runners up was the Kimberworth Striders Yellow Peril team of Lee Crow, Muneer Saif, Shaun Hogton, Phil Roberts, Steve Ford, Martin Gaynor, Phil Martin and Martin Broadhead in 5:51.46. Holme Pierrepoint AC (6:22.05) was first mixed team. Rotherham Harriers Women in Black (7:16.53) collected the ladies team trophy thanks to the efforts of Sharon Merrills, Gillian Taylor, Jenny Horan, Sharon Burton, Patricia Muller, Paula Fisher, Hilary Garrison and Adele Morris.

After 23 years the Rowbotham's Round Rotherham, which was pioneered by Rotherham Harriers long serving official Ralph Rowbotham, is as popular as ever and continues to attract entrants to the town from all around the country. This year's race was a record breaker with 71 walkers, 100 runners and 16 teams of eight relay runners taking part.

(italics replace an obvious transcription omission in the Advertiser copy).  

See Colm McCoy's report on the Round Rotherham in Edition 2 of Ultra Runner magazine  Thanks Colm

Sharon's Report on the day

Round Rotherham Saturday, 10th December 2005

A record 170 individuals and 16 relay teams set out to run or walk this year’s annual Round Rotherham event.  

The weather forecast leading up to the event wasn’t brilliant but after a little bit of drizzle early on in the morning it turned out to be a perfect day, mild and sunny.  Conditions underfoot were not conducive to running or walking 50 miles but this didn’t stop a newcomer to the event, Jeremy Bragg from Solihull, from taking 1st prize.  What was amazing considering the muddy conditions was his time – 6 hours 33 minutes, which makes him 2nd fastest ever behind Chris Parkes’ record of 6 hours 17mins achieved in 1996!  He’s looking to breaking this record as he intends to come back next year.  In second place but just under 1 hour behind was 100km international, Gary Woolgar in 7 hours 28 mins and last year’s winner, Les Hill from Dumfries took 3rd place in 7 hours 57 minutes.  Best placed Rotherham Harriers were Kerry Booth in 4th place in 8 hours 2 mins and Edinburgh based Bill Watson in 6th place with 8 hours 17mins, Phil Haigh followed in 32nd place.  These 3 took 2nd team prize behind the Trail Runners Association.  The women’s race was won by Sharon Gaytor, a regular in the event, in a time of  7 hours 59 minutes.  She was also 4th placed overall and beat the 2nd placed lady, Anne Wade by 1 ½ hours!  Last year’s winner, Cath Worth, finished in joint 3rd place with Kendra White this year in 9 hours 39 minutes.

The relay event saw Rotherham Harriers ‘Older Men in Black’ veterans team take 1st place again in a very close finish with Kimberworth Striders in 5 hours 51 mins and 26 seconds beating them by just 20 seconds, which apparently was due to Pete Shaw’s efforts on the final run up the hill to the leisure centre and almost killing himself in the process!  Rotherham Harriers ladies team ‘Women in Black’ improved on last year’s 2nd position by taking 1st place in 7 hours 16 minutes beating Kimberworth Striders and Maltby ladies teams by over 1 hour.  The mixed relay team was won by Holme Pierrepoint, again a new team to the event in 6 hours 22 minutes.

Once again, the success of this event is due to the numerous people who help out on the day and without whose help the event wouldn’t be possible.  So extended thanks to them and let’s hope the Round Rotherham can carry on for many years to come.

Sharon

4th January 2006

 

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Athletics Weekly

to be added

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Comment from some satisfied customers (omitting the bits after the "However, " - but will be considered):

Henry

I just wanted to drop you line to say that I thoroughly enjoyed my first competitive Rotherham Round at the weekend - it was certainly a day to remember. Conditions were pretty much perfect, albeit a little muddy under foot in places!. The only I regret I have is that I didn't have time to chat to the marshals at each of the checkpoints to pass on my appreciation for their enthusiasm and time. It's great to see a well established event still going strong. I'll be back next year, see you then.

Best Regards

Jez

I had a fantastic time on Saturday and will be back next year.  Every one was so friendly and the event was rally well organised.  The route was much more interesting than I though as well.  I couldn't believe I could finish 50+ miles and still feel so fresh!  I will be back next year.

Lindsey

 

It was a good event - my fastest 50 - and I look forward to coming back next year.

Fiona

Happy to help after such an excellent day! 

Regards, Lucas

 

Hi Henry

Hell of a good day, I will see you all next year God willing.

I hope to run the MDS in 2007 and my strategy was to attempt the Round Rotherham this year and next and spend 12 months between building on whatever lack of fitness and stamina identifies itself.  Next year ideally with full pack.

I didn’t see any badges.  After 12 hours plus on the road, I would be proud to own one if you can find any spares.

Again many thanks for a ton of organising.  Also my complements on the strip map.  I still got lost once but it was 99% perfect and exceptionally helpful.

Regards

David


I had never even done a marathon before, so it was a great adventure for me and I was well pleased to have finished.  Your crew at the stops, the veterans along the way that we tagged along with - everyone was fantastic.  A car even stopped when we were lost near the Tesco at the end and helped us back on trail.

Still nursing two lost toenails, already planning what to do for next year.

Thanks again, Bereth

Many thanks for the event on Saturday.  It was my first attempt at this distance and was very hard but very enjoyable.

 The support at the checkpoints was fantastic, especially the guys at the last one who really spurred me on.  The very nice ladies dishing out food at the sports hall after the race were also much appreciated.

I’ll definitely be back next year

Many thanks

Colin

 

I thoroughly enjoyed my day out, and baring a disaster, you will see me back next year.

Once again, thanks for a great event and the comprehensive results,

Colm

Alan

Please pass on my thanks and appreciation to everyone involved.

Saturday was my first ultra, first run beyond marathon distance of any sort and came after weeks of training blighted by colds etc.  As a consequence I was underprepared and still not 100% well on the day.

That I finished at all was due in no small part to the superb organisation at each of the checkpoints, and the encouragement of the volunteers.

I particularly like the way the route represents all aspects of South Yorkshire , from the active, the disused and regenerated mines through the motorways, the beautiful villages and countryside back into industrial and social housing estates.

I will be back and bring friends no doubt.

Thank you again for a challenging and very rewarding day.

Yours sincerely

Lucas Bateman

Take me to the Round Rotherham page, RHAC page, Full Results Page

 


Last Updated on 25 July, 2020 11:42:20 By Henry Marston, Email: rrr@NOThmarston.co.uk