Sue Bruce reports....
I am afraid you have ALL been out performed by Phil who completed the UK 100km championships at RAF Insworth yesterday. He ran a very respectable 11hrs8min and finished 1st vet 55. Like the rest of you he battled through wind rain sun and er more wind except he did it for 11 hrs or 31 laps of a VERY exposed course.This was despite having to have paracetamol tylenol and Ibuprofen from 13 miles onwards because of a niggly hamstring . He had a dodgy patch at about half way and had to have a little sit down but unlike an awful lot of the competitors he got going again and at no time lost his composure despite my shouting at him to get a move on in the last 2 laps or he wouldnt be allowed to complete it because of the time limitations- he took it all with his usual good grace! Unfortunately the battery on the finishing clock went as he came round the final corner 4mins before he got to it. However his time is correct he ran with superb courage and determination and I particularly enjoyed him collapsing into my arms when he stopped! I think we should all buy him a drink or two when he next appears on clubnight as he is now a national 100k champion!
Phil adds..
Praise indeed Sue, thank you very much - obviously delighted to finish and win the O55 prize despite making it more difficult for myself by running almost on one leg for the last 50 miles or so with that hamstring injury; pain not really to be recommended!
However, have to say many thanks to you for looking after me so well as race doctor and club member, and to all the other Tewkesbury guys who were there on the day - Andy (who came after taking a superb 2nd place in the White Horse half marathon earlier, so many congrats to you Andy). Mike, Angie (after her success at Chedworth), Jason, Amanda and Mick - to cheer me on and give invaluable moral support and to the messages of support from many other club members. Very humbling to be looked after by champion athletes in their own right, thanks guys. Also had lots of support around the course as a local club member - could hardly not finish with all that backing!
For the record, my time was 11hrs 8mins 43secs and I actually finished 25th of 25 finishers (including 5 ladies), but as Sue said, lots did not finish,including all the other O55s naturally (although I was always ahead of them anyway!) - and a race favourite Dennis Walmsley - so although I had hoped with some confidence to beat 10 hours, I have to feel pretty well satisfied with the performance and it gives me a good target for a PB next time!!! The winner was Matthew Lynas in 7hr 17mins 40secs.
Having Sue to catch me in her arms at the end made it all worthwhile and I am certain, much more enjoyable for me than it would be for her, given the sweaty and dishevelled state one finishes in after 11 hours on the road!