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.
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
I will be back and bring
friends no doubt.
Thank you again for a
challenging and very rewarding day.
Yours sincerely
Take me to the Round Rotherham page, RHAC page, Full Results Page