June 20th 2021 – Bromyard “Round the Downs”
Both Jayne Cresswell and Tor Band submitted race reports from this local race…
From Jayne Cresswell
Last Sunday, 20th June, saw the return of the Bromyard Round the Downs race but with a twist. The usual 4.5 mile road race had to be turned into a 5.4 mile trail race due to Covid. But my gosh what a blessing that was. The race was fantastic. Tough, beautiful and strangely enjoyable.
The race had staggered starts to avoid large groups. The fast people started first and that included me as I needed to get to work. Don’t stress, I gained permission. The beauty of this is that I got to see all the Harriers running as they passed me. It was a two lap course across the Downs and there was the odd climb but you got some fantastic views. Fingers crossed, next years race will be off road too.
Results for the Harriers
David Bannister 33:36
Kate Elkington 43:05
Mark Rooke 47:24
Rachel Bannister 51:21
Nicholas Tyler 52:16
Victoria Band 53:06
Laura Webb 53:27
Sian David 57:22
Jayne Cresswell 67:58
Thank you to everyone who waited for me to come in. It was great hearing you shout as I was running to the finish.
From Tor Band
On Sunday 20th June the weather stayed dry for 10 Harriers to take part in the Around the Downs trail course which was started by the town crier. The first recorded race was in 1923 and the race has taken place annually since 2010. The route took a new course this year but still took us along the traces of the Napoleonic Wartime racecourse that was once there, along with the bowling green, rifle butts and two underground bunkers that were built in the adjoining Warren Wood in case of invasion during the Second World War.
200 participants ran past a combination of gorse and grassland, wood and coppice. Rising to over 700 feet, the Downs dominates the local area and provides breath-taking views west into Wales and North to Clee Hill making Kate’s recruitment for more Harriers to join Cross Country and run on the grassy stuff an easier task.
Winning time was 31.41 and first Harrier home was David Bannister in a time of 33.36 putting the Harriers on the board with a top 10 finish, followed by Martin Williams with 39.54. First lady home was in a time of 38.27 closely followed by our very own Kate Elkington with a top 5 female finish at 43.05. First Harriers couple home were The Bannisters (Dave & Rachel) with a combined time of 84.57.
The ice-cream van was a welcome sight after the 5.4 mile undulating route and a downhill finish. The most impressive Harrier finish had to go to Sian Aubrey who managed a sliding finish approx. 5 meters from the line.
All starting Harriers finished and took one of the wooden Around the Downs medals home as a reward – here’s hoping we can get even more of the club there for next year.