Results

Name	Category	Position	Time
Owen Harries	M40	5	1:43:03
Emyr Morgan	M	18	1:51:41
Sally Gilbert	F50	26	1:54:18
James Allen	M	32	1:55:30
Kevin Gilbert	M45	84	2:08:41
Becky Mulley	F	93	2:11:24
Trevor Gregory	M45	116	2:16:14
Karen Washford	F45	198	2:43:44
Neil Washford	M60	210	3:24:34

210 Finishers

There was another good turnout by Team Southampton runners in the Combe Gibbet to Overton race last weekend. The 16 mile multi terrain race organised by Overton Harriers starts by the gibbet (hanging post) at the top of Inkpen Hill near Hungerford and then makes it way to the village of Overton using mostly footpaths and bridleways with occasional linking sections on the road. Although the profile is a net downhill itŐs still a hilly course with a major climb from 9 to 10.5 miles.
After the previous weekend early start (see Reading report) this race allowed a lie in for the runners. We all met up around midday in Overton for registration and to pick up out numbers. Four coaches had then been laid on to transport everyone up to Inkpen hill. We even had a police escort to clear the traffic out of the way on the narrow country lanes.
With a downhill start the early pace of the race was high but it wasn't long before various groups were forming and settling down into their own rhythm. Thankfully with the recent good weather the tracks were dry. Great care still needed to be taken with foot placement as a lot of the route was rutted or had loose rocks. There was a fair amount of jumping from one side of the track to another going on to find the best line. The route took us under the A34 and it was shortly after here that the major climb started. Two miles and a number of false summits later and we were at the top, the views, if you had the energy to look at them were spectacular.
The final run in to the finish was mostly downhill (all downhill according to some optimistic but encouraging marshals). The last section defiantly was downhill to a fast finish in the recreation ground. First TS finisher was myself, fending off a late challenge for 5th place. Emyr, James and Sally all finished with a sub 2 hour time, Sally finishing 3rd lady. Having run together with Becky for much of the race the last few miles saw Kevin's pace downhill finally break the elastic (must be the longer legs). Next to finish was Trevor who having sold the race to the rest of us on the strength of the finish line tea and cakes must have been hoping that the catering arrangements met the demanding expectations of TS runners. Comments had been made that a return to the Gibbet to string someone up would be made otherwise. For Karen and Neil this was the longest run they had done but both ran sensibly to finish strongly (and to vocal support at the end). In summary a successful outing for all run in great countryside.

Please Note:
These results are based on information sent to me. Any problems with names / times / positions then e-mail boardsbikes@yahoo.co.uk